Krondor: The Assassins. Raymond E. Feist

love to embarrass a bunch of fuzzy-cheeked cadets, so just make sure they’re disappointed.’

      As one, the cadets shouted, ‘Yes, swordmaster!’

      ‘Swords and saddles in fifteen minutes!’ cried the swordmaster.

      William was off at a run with his companions and stole a quick glance up to the palace wing where he suspected his friend James was still sleeping. He was on the verge of a silent curse when he remembered that James hadn’t forced him to stay at the Rainbow Parrot, and that the girl, Talia, was very attractive. He really liked the way she smiled at him.

      The thought was fleeting; for once he reached the armoury to collect his armour and weapons, he got too busy to think of anything but the coming exercise.

      James glanced down at the courtyard where the cadets were scurrying towards the armoury to be fitted out for the day’s exercise. He had forced himself to remain awake while reading the day’s schedule and knew that William and the others had a gruelling day ahead of them. Tratadon was a ten-hour forced march and the squad sent out to play the part of bandits the night before would be well and firmly dug in. McWirth was making sure his lads knew exactly the sort of trouble they were most likely to encounter in their work.

      ‘Squire?’ came a soft voice, gently preventing James’s reverie from slipping into a fatigued doze.

      ‘Yes?’ James replied to the young page, forcing himself to wakefulness.

      ‘His Highness waits in his private office.’

      James nodded, forcing aside the warm fatigue that made him feel like sleeping every time he stopped moving. As they reached the side door to Arutha’s office, another page opened the door so that James could march in without slowing his pace.

      Arutha sat at his desk. He indicated two mugs and a large pot and said, ‘Please.’

      James poured and was greeted by the aroma of dark, Keshian coffee. As he added a single spoonful of honey to the Prince’s mug, he said, ‘To think I couldn’t stand coffee a few years ago. Now I wonder how one gets through the morning without it.’

      Arutha nodded as he took the offered mug. ‘Or chocha.’

      James shrugged at mention of the Tsurani morning beverage. ‘Never developed a taste for it. Too bitter and spicy.’

      Arutha waved James to a chair and said, ‘I’ve got court in fifteen minutes, but you’re not attending today. I need you to do two things, one trivial, one not so.’

      James nodded but said nothing.

      Arutha continued. ‘Duke Radswil and his family wish to hunt. You will instruct our huntmaster to ready a party to accompany the Prince of Olasko to the mountains for a day’s hunting the day after tomorrow.’

      ‘That’s the trivial,’ suggested James.

      Arutha nodded. ‘Find your missing agents if possible, and see if you can discover the source of all this mayhem in our city. That will involve a rather delicate sort of diplomacy on your part, for you must first begin at the city jail with a social call on Sheriff Means.’

      ‘Now do I get to find out why he was waiting for us when we got back to Krondor?’

      Arutha regarded his young friend with an appraising look. ‘You haven’t ferreted out that gossip by now?’

      James stifled a yawn. ‘I’ve been too busy.’

      Arutha drained his mug and stood. James stood as well. ‘We have some problems between the City Watch and the sheriff’s men. The sheriff was here complaining in part about Guard Captain Guruth’s soldiers, especially the squad over in the poor quarter.’