Vladic nodded, as he slipped his wine. He then took a small slice of melon from a platter and nibbled at it, his expression every so slightly indicating satisfaction with the fruit. ‘The court here in the west is a refreshing change from some of the environments we’ve discovered east of Salador.’
James nodded. ‘I have no doubt. West of Malac’s Cross things are very different. I’ve not spent much time in the east, but it is …’
‘More civilized?’ provided Kazamir.
James smiled. ‘I was about to say older, but if you prefer civilized, I’ll concede the point.’
Vladic smiled, and for the first time since they met James sensed the young man was letting his guard down a tiny bit. ‘Well, it’s a function of perspective, I warrant. Our nations are very old, while this Western Realm is relatively young. In Olasko, we haven’t seen an elf or goblin in centuries. There are six other states of some size between the far northern lands and Olasko.’
‘Elves are interesting,’ replied James. ‘And I’ve seen enough goblins to last me a lifetime.’
‘I hear they’re not terribly bright, but that they make good hunting,’ ventured Kazamir.
‘Well, if you’re interested in hunting something that carries a sword or bow, I guess.’ James shrugged. ‘I’m city bred and have little experience with hunting. I don’t understand the appeal of the sport.’
‘It livens up an otherwise dull life,’ said Vladic.
James grinned. ‘I’ve never found life to be dull, so I suppose that’s why.’
‘You’re a lucky man, then,’ said Kazamir. ‘We have our wars, often enough, but other than that, there’s little to occupy a man who craves excitement.’
Vladic said, ‘My cousin is like most of our nobles, and seeks glory in overt fashion. But the skills of arms, the sword and bow, the challenge of the hunt, those are secondary in importance to that.’ He pointed to where Arutha was listening to something being whispered into his ear by one of the local nobles. ‘He seeks office, or a suitable husband for a daughter or an ally against an enemy, or something from your monarch. Intrigue is a way of life in my father’s court.’
James laughed. ‘That’s Squire Randolph of Silverstown. I think he’s trying to convince the Prince to get one of his pesky neighbours to move his cattle off Silverstown’s meadows.’
Kazamir barked a rough sounding laugh. ‘A very small intrigue, then, cousin.’
Vladic looked slightly nettled to be mocked so, but said nothing.
‘Are you staying long in Krondor?’ asked James.
Kazamir shrugged. ‘Father has planned this as a tour of the west, so I expect we’ll stay a few days before moving on. He wishes to hunt the Trollhomes, where it is rumoured great boars reside, as well as wild trolls and even, if true, dragons.’
James could barely contain his amusement. ‘Having spied a dragon myself, may I suggest that only a madman would go looking for one?’
Kazamir’s expression darkened. ‘A madman?’
James quickly spread his hands in an apologetic gesture. ‘A jest, and obviously a poor one. It is just that dragons are everything you’ve heard of and more. If you hunt one, take an army with you.’
Kazamir’s expression softened slightly, but James couldn’t be certain the offence had been mitigated. He continued, ‘Even trolls are to be avoided unless you absolutely must face one. The lowland trolls may be barely more than wild animals, but they are more dangerous than any lion or bear you might hunt, for they are more cunning, and they hunt in groups of two or more. Their mountain kin have language and use weapons. You go hunting them, be assured they’ll be hunting you right back.’
‘Interesting,’ was all that Vladic said. Then he added, ‘How is the hunting in this region?’
‘Yes,’ said Kazamir with sudden interest. ‘Lions, perhaps?’
James shrugged. ‘If you go north, up into the foothills of the Calastius Mountains, you’ll find a good population of game. Closer to the King’s Highway it’s scarce, but once you get high into the hills there’s ample deer, elk, bear, and big leopards. Occasionally a wyvern comes down from the northern mountains and that’s as much dragon as I’d be willing to face.’
‘If we stay for more than a few days, would you be able to arrange a trip into those mountains?’ asked Vladic.
James nodded. ‘I’ll speak to the housecarl; he can arrange with the huntmaster and swordmaster to provide guides and men-at-arms. You could travel out for a day and reach some very rough terrain, where game is still plentiful.’
Vladic looked pleased, as did his cousin. ‘Good. I will speak with my uncle tomorrow and, depending on his plans, perhaps I will prevail upon him to depart the day after on such a journey.’
Kazamir’s smile broadened a bit. ‘I suspect, however, you’d better also contrive some distraction for my sister while we’re gone.’
James’s frown brought forth a laugh from Kazamir. The squire said, ‘I think I will prevail upon Princess Anita to fashion that distraction. I suspect most of the young men in the court might be faced with some difficulties given the duty to attend your sister.’
‘Yet you felt no difficulty in turning her over to that young cadet,’ observed Kazamir in a guarded tone.
James leaned over and lowered his voice in a conspiratorial fashion. ‘Young Will lacks … experience. No matter how attractive your sister, she would have to initiate anything … beyond an awkward flirtation, I think. And if I’m any judge of such things, I doubt she will.’
Kazamir slapped James on the shoulder and laughed. ‘You may be rural, James, but your grasp of certain subtleties is not. Yes, my sister is out seeking a well-connected husband. She will not lessen her chances of such by any idle dalliance. Her husband will expect her unsullied on their wedding night, and she will be. But she will make some young men very unhappy until that time comes.’
Given James’s background, his view of such issues was far less critical; he had known too many women while a boy, and as a man who enjoyed the pleasures of the bed, to think much of the notion that men had different standards from women. Still, he had met enough men, noble and common, who felt differently that he appreciated the prevalence of that attitude.
‘Given her use of … enhancements to her charms, doesn’t this make things difficult back home?’
‘Most men in Olasko are terrified of her father,’ said Vladic, putting down his now empty goblet of wine and refusing a refill by one of the servants. ‘In my homeland few would dare his wrath.’
James shrugged and nodded his head in agreement. ‘Seems a wise course were I a citizen of your nation; the duke appears a most formidable man.’
Kazamir’s smile vanished. ‘As all would do well to note, James.’ James was certain that remark was more directed at Vladic than at himself. Then Kazamir’s smile returned. ‘Still, it is tempting for men of my nation to pursue a prize like my sister.’
James blinked in confusion. ‘Prize?’
‘As I’ve mentioned, we are adventuresome, in Olasko. Hunting women ranks as high as hunting cave bears.’
‘An interesting way to put it,’ said James as neutrally as possible. ‘I think my friend Locklear would fit right in.’
‘He pursues women?’
‘Incessantly,’ said James.
‘Then I would suggest he be a well-practised swordsman,’ offered Vladic.
‘That he is, but why?’