James replied, ‘There are some bodies inside that need to be removed, but otherwise everything’s under control.’ He glanced at the children who hovered around them in a circle, as if ready to bolt should the alarm go up. ‘You’d better take charge of this lot before they scatter.’
‘Where shall we take them?’
James said, ‘To the Shield of Dala Orphanage the Princess helped found, over by the Sea Gate. Last I heard they had plenty of beds and hot food.’
Several children started to inch away, as if getting ready to flee. Jazhara crouched and reached out as if to gather the fearful children to her. She said, ‘They are not like the men who have hurt you. There you will truly find food and warm beds.’
Confronted otherwise with the prospect of a cold night with only stones to sleep upon and an empty belly, the children remained. The guard looked around. ‘Well, then, if you’re all right getting back to the palace without a guard, Squire, we’ll get this bunch moving. Come along, children,’ he said, trying not to sound too gruff.
The children left with two of the guards while the remaining pair peered into the building. ‘We’ll have these bodies gone by morning. What about the building?’ one of them asked.
James replied, ‘It’ll be looted five minutes after you leave, so I’m going to poke around a little more and take anything important to the prince. Once we’re gone, get rid of the bodies and let whoever wanders by take what he wants. If the previous owner has any heirs, I would welcome them coming to the palace to complain.’
The watchman saluted and James and Jazhara reentered the dyer’s shop. Jazhara thoroughly examined every paper in the chest and James inspected every likely spot that might harbour a secret hiding place. After an hour, James announced, ‘I don’t think there’s anything else.’
Jazhara had been carefully reading the papers found in Yusuf’s office. ‘There’s enough here to warrant a full investigation from my great-uncle’s end,’ she said. ‘This attempt to have my death placed at his feet in order to discredit him … it would have created a virtual civil war in the north of the Empire, for the desert tribes would know it to be a false accusation.’
‘But the Empress and her council in the City of Kesh might believe it.’
Jazhara nodded. ‘Whoever this Crawler is, he seeks to benefit from confrontation between our peoples, James. Who would gain from such chaos?’
James said, ‘It’s a long list. I’ll tell you sometime. Right now, we should get to the palace. You have barely enough time to take a short nap, change into clean clothing, eat, then be presented to Prince Arutha.’
Jazhara took a final long look around the room, as if searching for something or trying to impress details on her memory, then without comment she lifted her staff and moved purposefully towards the door.
James hesitated for a half-step, then overtook her. ‘You’ll send word to your great-uncle?’ he asked when he caught up with her.
‘Certainly. This Crawler may be Keshian and what occurs here in Krondor may be but a part of a larger scheme, but it’s clear that my great-uncle is at risk.’
James said, ‘Well, there’s the matter of the Prince.’
‘Oh.’ Jazhara stared at James. ‘Do you think he would begrudge my great-uncle a warning?’
James touched her shoulder lightly. ‘It’s not that. It’s only …’
‘Matters of politics,’ she finished.
‘Something like that,’ James said. They turned a corner. ‘It may be there’s no problem in communicating this discovery to your great-uncle, but Arutha may request you leave out certain facts, such as how you got the information.’
Jazhara smiled slightly. ‘As in not revealing we know Yusuf was ostensibly an agent working on behalf of Great Kesh?’
James grinned. ‘Something like that,’ he repeated.
As they continued to walk, she added after a while, ‘Perhaps we could simply say that while dealing with an illegal slavery ring, we discovered a plot to murder me and pin the blame upon my great-uncle, to the purpose of having him removed from his position as Governor of the Jal-Pur.’
‘My thinking exactly.’
Jazhara laughed. ‘Do not worry, my friend. Politics are second nature to Keshian nobles not born of the True Blood.’
James frowned. ‘I’ve heard that term once or twice before, but must confess I’m vague as to what it means.’
Jazhara turned a corner, putting them on a direct path back to the palace. ‘Then you must visit the City of Kesh and visit the Empress’s court. There are things I can tell you about Kesh that will not make sense until you have seen them with your own eyes. The True Blood Keshians, those whose ancestors first hunted lions on the grasslands around the Overn Deep, are such. Words would not do them justice.’
A hint of irony – or bitterness – tinged her words, and James couldn’t tell which, but James decided not to pursue the matter. They crossed out of the Merchants’ Quarter and entered the palace district.
As they approached the palace gates, Jazhara glanced over to the large building opposite and noticed the solitary guardsman there. ‘An Ishapian enclave?’
James studied the sturdy man who stood impassively at his post, a lethal-looking warhammer at his belt. ‘Yes, though I have no idea of its purpose.’
Jazhara looked at James with a wry smile and a twinkling eye and said, ‘There’s something occurring in Krondor about which you’re ignorant?’
James returned her smile. ‘What I should have said is that I have no idea what its purpose is – yet.’
The guards came to attention as James and Jazhara reached the gates and the senior guard said, ‘Welcome back, Squire. You’ve found her, then?’
James nodded. ‘Gentlemen, may I present Jazhara, court mage of Krondor.’
At this, one of the other guards began to stare at Jazhara. ‘By the gods!’ he exclaimed suddenly.
‘You’ve something to say?’ James inquired.
The guard flushed. ‘Beggin’ your pardon, Squire, but a Keshian? So close to our Prince?’
Jazhara looked from one to the other, then said, ‘Set your minds at rest, gentlemen. I have taken oath and I will swear fealty to Arutha. Your prince is my lord, and like you, I shall defend him unto death.’
The senior guard threw a look at the outspoken soldier that clearly communicated they would be talking about his outburst later. Then he said, ‘Your pardon, milady. We are honoured to have you in Krondor.’
‘My thanks to you, sir,’ replied Jazhara as the gates were opened.
James followed, and as the gates were closed behind them he said, ‘You’ll have to excuse them. They’re naturally wary of strangers.’
‘You mean, wary of Keshians. Think nothing of it. We would be equally suspicious of a Kingdom magician in the court of the Empress, She Who Is Kesh. When Master Pug entrusted me to this position, he was very clear that my appointment is not to be political.’
James grinned. Nothing in the court was not political, but he appreciated the sentiment. He regarded the young woman again. The more he knew her, the better he liked her. Mustering up his best courtier’s tone, he said, ‘A woman of your beauty and intelligence should have no trouble with that. I myself am already feeling a great sense of trust.’
She laughed. Fixing him with a sceptical expression, she said, ‘Your compliment is appreciated, Squire, but do not presume too much, too