She feigned disappointment. ‘And I was so hoping for that.’
He made his tone businesslike. ‘You’re obviously smarter than you let on. Do you know how to listen and not hear?’
She laughed. ‘I listen to everything, yet I hear nothing.’
‘Good,’ he said. ‘I would have you listen for me.’
She cocked her head, but said nothing.
‘There’s a moneylender in the small market by the Low Tide Gate, by the name of Jacob. You will go there and receive a small sum which, should anyone ask, was owed to you by a client who turned out to be honest, if not timely.’
She smiled. ‘Then what?’
‘Buy something pretty, perhaps a new costume in a colour other than green. Some bangles perhaps, and the smallest dagger you can find, which you should secrete about your person.’
Her eyes narrowed even more. ‘And?’
‘Start looking around for a spot to open your own tavern.’
‘Really?’ Her eyebrows shot up. ‘What sort of spot?’
‘Away from the docks. I wouldn’t want your current employer to think you were trying to take away his business.’
She nodded.
‘Somewhere on the south side of the boulevard, perhaps halfway between the caravanserai gate and the governor’s palace.’
She was silent for a while, then said, ‘Some important people tend to congregate in those neighbourhoods, Jim.’
‘Indeed,’ said James. ‘We’ll be among them, but nothing too ostentatious. Somewhere among the great gambling halls, brothels and palaces scattered among the nicer establishments, we shall open a modest inn – the sort where those with their fingers on the edge of power are likely to need housing.’
She nodded. ‘The sort of place a nobleman’s baggage master or a wealthy merchant’s agent might lodge – the sort who might let something of note slip with the aid of strong drink and a pretty woman to impress.’
‘You’re a natural.’
She frowned slightly. ‘I have been asked to listen but not hear before, Jim. How dangerous is this going to be?’
‘That depends on who you’re not hearing while you’re listening. Let’s say,’ he shrugged, ‘it could cost you your life.’
She pulled back slightly, and the rising sun played across her face and shoulders. ‘You know how to charm a girl, Jim. If my life’s at risk, I trust you’ll make it worth my while?’
‘Your life is at risk every time you bring a man back here. You know that as well as I. You wouldn’t be the first girl in Durbin whose customer decided to pay with a blade instead of coin. I’ll make you more gold in the next few years than you could see in five lifetimes.’
‘And if I refuse?’
‘We never had this conversation, and I think you’re smart enough not to cause me difficulty.’
She nodded. ‘I could betray you.’
‘There’s an old saying here,’ said James. ‘There are many holes in the desert, but there is always room for one more.’
‘A threat?’
‘A consequence.’
‘Let me think on it,’ she said. ‘I have no love for nations nor men of rank, but I do love gold.’
‘Smart,’ said James with a grin. ‘I shall only come by once, in three days’ time, and we shall share a drink. If you say nothing to me on this subject, we never had this discussion. If you decide before, go to Jacob the moneylender and tell him your name is Shareena. He will have your gold. Should circumstances warrant, I would enjoy another night here.’
He kissed her quickly on the cheek and left, knowing full well that she would be at the moneylender’s stall within a day, two at the most, and to all intents and purposes, James of Krondor, Court Knight to Prince Arutha, had just established his first agent in a Keshian city.
He opened the door, dodged into the early morning crowd and was gone.
Jacob the moneylender looked up at the desert man approaching his stall in the market and for a moment was confused: the desert men never borrowed coin, preferring to barter camels, goats, or whatever they’d looted from travellers. Then as the figure came nearer Jacob recognized his features. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and repressed a groan. His bodyguard, a heavily muscled, black-skinned former pit fighter from the shores of the Overn Deep cast his master a glance. Jacob said, ‘I’ll need a moment.’
The guard nodded and moved a discreet distance away as James reached the booth.
James raised a hand in greeting.
With his smile frozen in place, Jacob said, ‘Jimmy the Hand.’
‘Sir James.’
The evil smile remained in place. ‘Wave your hands around a little like a desert man, for the gods’ mercy, or you’ll start drawing attention. A desert man wouldn’t be trying to haggle for coin, anyway. Are you trying to get us both killed?’
‘Then gesture like I’ve come to the wrong place and listen carefully, as I won’t repeat myself. First, I am here on the prince’s business, so from this point forward you’ll follow any instruction I give or send you. To know an order is from me, the code will be “Jimmy couldn’t come; he’s taken a sweetheart.” Second, a young woman calling herself Shareena will arrive here within the next couple of days. Account to her ten golden sovereigns or whatever coin of equal worth you choose, but give it to her without question or remark. Should she ask questions, you know nothing. Lastly, she may return to you in days to come, seeking a much larger amount to establish a business enterprise. It’s on my behalf, which means it’s on Prince Arutha’s behalf, so accommodate her as quickly as you can. When you account your expenses to the prince’s chamberlain, note these expenses as “payments to James in Durbin on the Crown’s behalf”, and all will be well. You will be reimbursed within a month with a ten per cent commission added.’ He smiled and continued, ‘And if you do well in this, in a year or two, you may be allowed to return to Krondor and live.’
‘Well, and good, the prince may lift the price on me,’ said Jacob, ‘but what about the Mockers?’
‘I’ll see what I can do.’
James turned and left the stall, heading in the direction Jacob had pointed, content in knowing the former tax collector in Krondor – who had fled in disgrace after betraying both his royal commission and his partners in crime in the Mockers – was now his second agent in Kesh. Who knows, thought James, if he serves well, some day he may actually be allowed to return to Krondor.
Whistling a nameless tune, he dodged through the crowds in the market.
• CHAPTER FOUR •
Arrival
JAMES HID IN THE SHADOWS.
A latticework of rose and amber light cut through the rapidly deepening shadows of Durbin as the sun settled behind the peaks of the Trollhome Mountains. Darkness was advancing rapidly, for the sunset coincided with some heavy marine weather rolling in over the city from the Bitter Sea. James knew there would be a sudden drop in visibility, almost as rapid as someone pulling curtains closed in a room. Soon the Nightwatch would make their rounds, lighting the city’s lampposts. Merchants were closing up their shops, shuttering windows and locking doors: the rhythm of the city was changing by the minute.
James hung back in a deep doorway, watching the ship that was docking on the evening tide. It was a Kingdom freight-hauler, a slow coaster, and on it would be Jazhara and William.
James wore fine garb under his cheap robe. He had luxuriated in a hot bath this morning, having grown tired of the need to look like a rag-picker to blend into the seedier districts of Durbin. On reflection, most districts of this city were seedy. He had poked about in every criminal dive and back alley, even haunting the edges of the slave pens for an afternoon. He had been less intent on finding specific information (though should something material come his way, he would welcome it) than gauging the rhythm of criminal activity in Durbin.
Every city has its own structures, James had learned since joining the prince’s service. He hadn’t realized that he intuitively understood
the criminal organization of Krondor: the Mockers and the independent criminals the Mockers tolerated, as well as the criminals who came to the city to do business with the Mockers. He even understood the relationships between the criminals and some legal enterprises, as well as those members of the city watch who were ‘on the arm’ – paid a regular stipend to look the other way at key moments. But in dealing with the Crown’s needs, James was afforded a perspective from the other side of the ledger, trying to ferret out corrupt officials, to determine which legitimate businesses were fronts for the Mockers’ criminal activities. He had quickly learned where to focus his attention and what was worth being concerned about.
Even as a boy he had spent time outside the city, once for a few weeks dealing with some odd doings down in Land’s End, and several times up in Sarth; but here in Durbin, everything moved to an alien rhythm. He was now coming to understand that rhythm. And there was something decidedly strange about it.
Given the power the Crawler had displayed in intruding into long-standing relationships in Krondor, as well as his apparent links to the mad magician Sidi and the pirate Bear, not to mention a mad demon cult in the desert not too far from here, there should have been some evidence of his presence here in Durbin.
There was none.
This troubled James and was on his mind as he watched the gangway being run out from the Kingdom ship. He glanced around and moved to a position alongside the stall nearest the dock, offering him the shortest distance to the gangway without having to cross open ground.
The gangway was secured and Jazhara and William were the first two passengers to disembark. As soon as they were on the docks James was at Jazhara’s side, so that suddenly it looked as if three passengers had left the ship. If either Jazhara or William was surprised by his sudden appearance, neither betrayed it, Jazhara simply saying, ‘Oh, there you are.’
James said, ‘I have rooms for us.’
‘Shouldn’t we pay a visit to the palace, first?’ asked William.
‘The governor’s not expecting you. A courtesy call is required, but as long as this isn’t a diplomatic visit, there’s no need to be alacritous.’
James grinned as William smiled and said, ‘“Alacritous?” You’re sounding like a courtier, Sir James.’
‘Practising,’ said James. He lost his smile. ‘Old habits die hard and I’ve been Jimmy the Hand here for a week now.’
‘Any problem with the locals?’ asked William.
Jazhara’s gaze travelled over the crowd at the docks, looking for any sign that they were being overheard or that magic was being used.
‘No, but we’ll talk more later.’ James glanced around. ‘Where’s your luggage?’
‘And yours,’ added Jazhara. ‘Offloading it soon, I expect.’
James hurried over to the boss of the dock gang. A quick conversation was followed by a few coins being exchanged, and he returned. ‘Come along. I paid the man to have our luggage delivered to our inn.’
‘Can you trust him?’ William asked.
‘Of course not,’ said James. ‘That’s why I paid more to have everything arrive intact, with the promise of more on delivery. A dock gang boss is greedy, not stupid. We appear people of means, so it pays to take what’s offered and not incur the ire of someone who may know someone in power. We come and go, but he’s there every day.’
William nodded, smiling slightly.
Jazhara said, ‘What are we looking for?’
‘Let’s leave that conversation for a less public place,’ James replied.
‘We’re being watched?’
‘Almost certainly. Word will reach the governor within half an hour that the niece of the very important Lord Hazara-Khan has landed in Durbin with an escort of two minor functionaries—’
‘Minor?’ interrupted William.
‘Minor,’ continued James. ‘And he will then be wondering what is afoot.’ He paused. ‘About the same time he’ll start worrying if he might perhaps be in some sort of trouble with the Empire or the Kingdom or both, a note from the Lady Jazhara will arrive at his door indicating an unexpected family need has caused her to visit his lovely city, and she would so very much enjoy presenting her compliments in person.’ James winked at his companions. ‘He’ll start worrying again and invite you straightaway, perhaps even for an informal supper tonight.’
They wended their way through the evening crowd, seeing the occasional merchant still trying for that one last sale before calling it a day, walking past open stalls with savoury and pungent aromas as meals were being prepared for those who lived in their stalls, or those who sold food, or those on their way home too busy or unable to cook for themselves. At last they reached a small inn that was crawling with workers. ‘Welcome to the Sign of the Jade Monkey,’ said James.
Jazhara laughed as she regarded the newly painted sign hanging above the door. It showed a green-furred monkey with its eyes closed, sitting in a cross-legged position with its hands on its knees as if meditating. ‘I’m not sure the Jade Monks will find that amusing.’
William chuckled. As he ushered them inside, James said, ‘They’re a pretty humourless lot, but I doubt one of them will ever see it: they tend to stay in their monastery in the mountains far to the east. Besides, that wasn’t really the intent, but a rather happy little accident.’ He gestured to a young woman. ‘Lady Jazhara and Sir William, may I introduce the proprietor of the Jade Monkey? Gina, also sometimes known as Jade, and she is indeed at times a monkey.’
Gina threw James a dark look for a second, then smiled. ‘Welcome. You are our first guests!’
William cast an appraising eye over the beautiful hostess. She was wearing a clinging gown fashioned from green silk and set with pearls. Her jewellery betrayed that she was new to having means, it being both large and gaudy.
James said, ‘We’ll take a meal upstairs, Gina, given the state of the common room.’
Glancing around, Jazhara and William could see that the carpenters and painters had just gone home, leaving a great deal of work for the next day. James picked up some wood shavings off a nearby table and let them go, watching them for a moment as they drifted to the floor.
‘I do prefer my food without sawdust,’ said William with a laugh.
James handed Gina a small purse. ‘I know our kitchen isn’t ready, so have a boy run down to Ahmen’s and fetch us back fruit, cheese, bread and wine. Oh, and if Maribeka has any hot sausage left in her stall, on his way back have him grab some of those, please.’
Gina smiled and nodded, hurrying off to do as she had been bid. William watched admiringly as she went, and turned to see Jazhara staring at him with a narrow gaze. ‘What?’ he asked.
She said nothing but turned towards the stairs leading to the second floor. As she moved off, William threw James a questioning look. ‘What?’ he repeated. James answered silently with a shake of his hand, communicating that he was not going to get involved in whatever was going on. William could see he was trying mightily to stifle a laugh.
They followed Jazhara upstairs all the way to the top floor. When they arrived on the landing they saw three doors, one on each side and one directly before them, situated down a short hallway. James pointed to the left-hand door. ‘Jazhara, that’s yours.’ Then to the right, ‘And Willy, your room.’ He opened the door ahead and said, ‘And this is mine.’
He led them into a small but well-appointed room. ‘Nothing too ostentatious, but nice and clean. We’re going to cater to a specific clientele: mid-level functionaries and agents, the sort we’d like to know better.’
‘We?’ asked Jazhara, removing her shoulder bag and placing it on the floor next to a small table. There were two chairs and a bed, and a modest night stand against the wall under a small window overlooking the street. William took the other chair and James sat on the bed.
The former thief grinned. ‘I’ve purchased the Jade Monkey on the prince’s behalf.’
William returned the grin. ‘Arutha will be no
doubt thrilled with your expending royal funds to purchase an inn in Durbin.’
‘I think he will,’ said James solemnly. ‘At least I hope so.’
‘So, a nest of spies?’ asked Jazhara, looking a little disapproving.
‘Hardly. A convenient place for certain people loyal to Arutha to feel secure when they visit this blight of a city.’ He leaned forward. ‘Even though I’ve made this little investment and hired Gina to manage it on my behalf, trust no one who is not in this room.’
They both nodded. Then William asked, ‘What is the plan?’
‘Rest, wait, and expect an invitation before sundown.’
‘What are you going to do?’ asked Jazhara.
‘The same,’ he said, swinging his legs up and lying back on the bed, his arms behind his head. ‘I expect that after supper I shall be busy tonight.’
Jazhara and William exchanged glances, then rose and departed. As William turned to pull the door closed behind him he could see that James was already fast asleep.
• CHAPTER FIVE •
Theatrics
THE GONG RANG OUT.
The Master of Ceremony to the Governor of Durbin called out, ‘The Lady Jazhara Shala Nema Hazara-Khan, Sir William conDoin, Knight-Lieutenant of the Prince of Krondor’s Court, Sir James—’ he threw James a quick look at the absence of a surname, then collected himself and continued, ‘—Knight-Lieutenant of the Prince of Krondor’s Court.’
James whispered, ‘I think I need to anoint myself with a patronymic.’
‘Well, you did somewhat invent yourself, so why not “Jamison”?’ William whispered back as they started to walk across the large receiving hall of the Governor of Durbin’s palace.
James grinned. ‘I rather like that.’
The Governor of Durbin was a heavy-set man with powerful shoulders under a loose-fitting, knee-length robe of fine silk, tastefully trimmed with minimal beadwork. Its one concession to the usual Keshian affection for the ornate was the use of massive pearls as frogs and silver thread in the loops that ran from collar to hem. His sandals were also of fine craftsmanship, though James thought them more utilitarian and less decorative than he would have expected in a Keshian court. The governor stood with his advisors at the far side of the room. James understood the politics here: they had to come to him, and he had the chance to study them as they approached. It was establishing a position of dominance with the niece of one of the most powerful men in the Empire. James conceded silently it was nice theatre, as well.