King of Foxes

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  SIX

  RILLANON

  Tal watched.

  He stood upon a balcony near the royal apartments.

  He had been requested to wait there for Duke Kaspar, who was closeted with the King. Below, the city stretched out, and Tal was struck again by its beauty. He wished time permitted him to explore: for had he not taken service with Kaspar, that is what he would have been doing that very moment. However, as Kaspar’s retainer, he awaited his master’s pleasure.

  “Quite a sight, isn’t it?” came a familiar voice at his shoulder.

  He turned to find Lady Natalia approaching, so he bowed. “That it is, m’lady.”

  “My brother will be out shortly and will have something for you to do, I have no doubt.”

  Tal rarely felt disquiet in the presence of any woman, _______________

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  but since the night after the hunt, he had wondered what he should expect from Natalia, or more to the point, what she might expect from him.

  As if reading his thoughts, she smiled and came close.

  Touching him lightly on the cheek, she said, “Don’t worry, Tal, our time together was fun, nothing more. I am an instrument of the state, my brother’s tool, much as you are. He has plans for me, so you’re safe from the need to make any declarations to me.”

  Tal grinned. “It wasn’t a declaration that worried me, m’lady. Only if I was to be cast aside or . . . if my attentions were required again.”

  She paused, then regarded him. “Why do I suspect that either choice is of little importance to you?”

  Tal took her hand. “That’s not true, m’lady. You are without peer among women.” He came close to the truth with that statement, for few women in his experience were as ardent as Natalia had been.

  “Liar. You use women as I use men. We are too alike, Tal. Have you ever loved?”

  Tal hesitated, then he said, “I thought so once. I was mistaken.”

  “Ah,” said Natalia. “So, you’re armored against love because of a broken heart?”

  Tal made light. “If it pleases you to think so, then so be it.”

  “I think sometimes having no heart is a better condition. My brother’s Lady Rowena is like that. She lacks something.”

  Tal could only silently agree. He knew her well, for she had been the woman who had broken his heart, the harshest lesson taught him by the Conclave. Alysandra, as she was named there, indeed lacked something. She had no heart, and had wounded Tal deeply.

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  “I will marry for reasons of state. So I take my pleasures where I might.” She paused, then asked, “What think you of this young king?”

  “Ah,” said Tal. “Your brother seeks to make you Queen of the Isles?”

  “Perhaps,” said Natalia with a grin. “There is no suitable match from Roldem, with the eldest princess being merely eleven years old. I suppose Ryan could wait until she was of age, but I think Lord Vallen and the others are anxious for him to wed and start breeding heirs. I am the most advantageous match among the ladies of the eastern courts, and Isles needs allies to the east.”

  Feigning ignorance of regional politics, Tal said, “I thought Isles had treaties with Farinda, Opast, and Far Lorin.”

  “They do, but those states are . . . inconsequential.

  Ryan needs Olasko as an ally.”

  Tal’s mind raced. All signs pointed to a coming conflict between the Isles and Olasko; otherwise, Kaspar’s campaigns in the region made even less sense than they did now. Trying to fish for information, Tal asked, “But they provide a buffer. It seems to me Olasko and the Isles have little cause for contention.”

  “Indeed,” said a voice from behind.

  Both Tal and Natalia turned to see Duke Kaspar there. Tal bowed, and said, “Your Grace,” while Natalia approached and kissed her brother on the cheek.

  Kaspar came to stand next to Tal. “The city is quite breathtaking, isn’t it, Squire?”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  Kaspar was dressed in a white tunic buttoned up the right side, with yellow piping. He wore red leggings and slippers, and his only decoration was the ornate silver buckle on his black leather belt. “Natalia,” he said, “we _______________

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  dine with the King tonight. A page will come and fetch you at the seventh hour. Squire, I have no need for you this afternoon. Why don’t you keep my sister amused until supper, then feel free to take your man and visit the city. Rillanon is quite an interesting place; you should avail yourself of the opportunity to learn about it.” He studied Tal’s face and softly added, “Learn it well.”

  “Yes, Your Grace,” Tal said with a slight bow.

  “Now, I must go to another meeting. Run off and find something to do, you two, and I’ll see you this evening, my dear.”

  Natalia kissed her brother again, and he departed.

  When he was gone, she turned brightly to Tal and said,

  “My brother commands us.”

  Tal laughed. “Yes, and what is my lady’s pleasure?”

  She slipped up close to him and kissed him deeply.

  “Pleasure is my pleasure. And I know exactly what will amuse me, Squire.”

  Tal glanced around to make sure they weren’t being observed. It would not do for a potential Queen of the Isles to be seen embracing a lowly squire on the balcony of the castle. “This is hardly the place,” he whispered.

  She smiled even more broadly and said, “Then let’s go and find the right place.”

  Turning, she didn’t wait to see if he followed her, but walked imperiously into the hallway, turning away from her apartments, and without asking, led him back to his own room.

  She opened the door to find Amafi busy polishing a pair of Tal’s boots. The Quegan rose and bowed.

  “Leave us,” commanded Natalia as Tal entered the room. Amafi threw Tal a look as if asking confirmation, and Natalia’s voice rose. “I said leave us! ”

  Tal nodded. “Leave us for an hour,” he said in Quegan.

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  As Amafi moved to the door, Natalia spoken in Quegan as well, “Make that two hours.”

  Amafi found himself standing outside the door, a pair of Tal’s boots in one hand and a rag in the other. For a moment, he stood uncertain of what to do; then he decided the King’s boots must need cleaning, so he’d go and find a page and ask directions to where such matters were addressed. Remembering he was to speak only Quegan outside the rooms, he hoped he could find one who might understand him.

  __

  Tal put down his cards and said, “Not this time.”

  The man sitting directly across from him also folded his hand. The man to Tal’s right laughed as he raked in the coins. “Not your night, eh, Squire?”

  Tal smiled. “Can’t win every night. Where would be the fun in that, Burgess?”

  Tal was playing cards at a modest tavern called the Black Bull, located by the northern gate of the city. It was inhabited mostly by locals and the occasional farmer or miller from up the island staying there.

  Tal had followed Kaspar’s instructions. He had spent the last three nights and two days learning everything about Rillanon he could. As he had suspected Kaspar might, after his first foray into the city Kaspar had peppered him with questions. They ranged from the location of critical intersections, where he had seen soldiers of the Crown, to what sort of people were on the streets after dark.

  Each day more exploration and each day more questions. Tal’s skills in hunting and tracking and his sense of place and direction served him well. At this point he could probably draw a map of the city and get most of it right.

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  Kaspar informed him he was to continue his e
xplorations until the end of the week, when the Duke’s party would be leaving for home. Tal had been to some of the seedier waterfront inns and several of the most luxurious brothels, gambling halls both low and high, and nearly every tavern worth mentioning. His only regret was that Rillanon lacked the dining establishments that were now all the rage in Roldem, so most of the food he encountered outside the palace was unremarkable.

  “Your deal,” said the merchant.

  Tal picked up the cards and began his shuffle. He had met Lyman Burgess the night before in a gambling hall down near the central market square, and the affable trader in luxury goods had suggested they meet at this inn. As promised, it was a convivial little establishment with decent food, better drink, and a friendly game of poker.

  Everyone tossed in a coin, and Tal began the deal.

  Burgess had expressed interest in making Tal’s acquaintance the night before when he had discovered his identity. While a few others had recognized his name as Champion of the Masters’ Court, Burgess had been more interested in his relationship to Duke Kaspar.

  Burgess dealt in rare trade items, gems, fine jewelry, ornate statuary, and other items of value. His clientele were the very wealthy and the nobility of the city, including, according to him, the palace, where several of his more extravagant items were on display. He made no effort to hide his interest in making the Duke’s acquaintance.

  Tal looked at his cards and saw no hope in bettering his hand. When it came to his turn to bet, he again folded.

  He caught indifferent cards as the deck made its way around the table, and it was his deal once more. While _______________

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  dealing out his cards, he glanced around the room. Besides the five of them playing cards, there were half a dozen other men in the room. Amafi was one of them, sitting a discreet distance away, watching everything.

  After the hand, Tal tossed in a coin and waited for the next hand. As if making conversation, he asked Lyman,

  “Do you ever trade down in Roldem?”

  Burgess picked up his cards. “No, not really. I’ve sold some items here to Roldemish traders, but have never been there myself.”

  “You ought to go,” said Tal, looking at his own cards.

  He at last had a hand worth betting, so he waited, then called the bet before him. As he tossed in two cards and picked up the replacements, he said, “Quite a market for luxury goods, I’d say.”

  Burgess looked at his cards. “So I hear. But it’s a hard place to get a foothold. Very old firms with a stranglehold on commerce down there.” He shook his head. “This will never do,” he said, and threw in his hand.

  “I have a friend in Roldem,” said Tal. “He’s a Kingdom man. He might be able to help.”

  “Really?”

  Tal showed his cards, the winning hand, and gathered in the coins with a chuckle. “The cards have turned.” As the deck was passed, he added, “Yes, he’s a trader of some influence in the city, by the name of Quincy de Castle.

  Perhaps you’ve heard of him.”

  Tal studied Burgess’s face. There was a tiny flicker, but Burgess said, “Can’t say as I have.”

  Tal knew he was lying.

  The game went on for another hour, Tal neither winning nor losing. By night’s end, the two traveling traders had done well, a local merchant had broken even, while Burgess had lost big. Tal had lost only a little. “Let me _______________

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  buy a drink before we say good night,” he said to Burgess as the others departed.

  “Fine,” said the merchant.

  Tal motioned for the serving girl and said, “Wine, the best you have.”

  The girl appeared with a bottle and two goblets, and removed the cork. She poured out a tangy young red, loaded with the flavors of fruit, spices, and oak. Burgess sipped it and said, “This is good.”

  “A blend of several grapes, from somewhere near Salador, I guess.”

  “You know your wines,” said Burgess.

  “I lived in Salador for a while. It’s a familiar blend. If I hadn’t been drinking ale earlier, I might even presume to guess which vintner made it.”

  Burgess laughed. “I’ve never been much of one for wine. I prefer stout ale.” Seeing Tal was about to call to the girl, he said quickly, “But this is good. I’m content to drink it. Especially as you’re paying for it.”

  Tal took a long sip, then said, “I could learn to love living here, I think.”

  “It’s a wonderful city,” said Burgess. “Though I’ve never been to Opardum.”

  “Neither have I,” admitted Tal.

  “Oh, I thought you were in service to the Duke.”

  “I am,” said Tal, taking another sip of wine. “But only recently. We met in Roldem, after the Tournament at the Masters’ Court.”

  “That’s quite an achievement, Tal.”

  Tal shrugged. “Every man has a skill or two. Some of us are more gifted in one thing than another. I’m a good hunter and swordsman. You?”

  “I’m a successful trader,” admitted Burgess, “even if I’m a dreadful cardplayer.”

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  “Married?”

  “Yes,” said Burgess. “My wife is visiting her family in Dolth. That’s why I’m out and about the city these nights.

  The house gets lonely.”

  “Children?”

  “A boy. He’s in the army, serving in the King’s Own.”

  “That’s quite a position.”

  Burgess pushed himself back from the table. “I’ve been selling items of art to the palace for twenty years, Tal. I’ve made some deals that have cost me profit to keep people like Lord Howell happy. My son’s commission didn’t come cheap, but he always wanted to be a soldier, and I didn’t want to see him manning some battlement with the Border Barons up in the frozen north.

  “Besides, if he rises through the ranks, there’s a chance for a good marriage, perhaps even the daughter of a noble.”

  Tal nodded. “Ambitious for your son.”

  “What father isn’t?”

  Tal remembered his own father. His people had been so different in their outlook on life. For a moment he felt a distressing stab of nostalgia, then forced it down.

  Dwelling on the past brought only pain. His father was ambitious in the way of the Orosini; he wanted Talon to be a good father, husband, and man of the village.

  Finally, Tal said, “I think you’re right. My father wished me to succeed.”

  “And you have,” said Burgess. “You’re Champion of the Masters’ Court and in service to Duke Kaspar of Olasko. You have a bright future ahead of you.” Seeing no one nearby, Burgess leaned closer. “And I can help make it bright for you, Tal.”

  Lowering his voice, Tal said, “I’m listening.”

  “Without knowing what you’re privy to, let’s say there _______________

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  are those here in Rillanon who would welcome a friend in Kaspar’s court.”

  Tal sat back as if digesting the statement. “You want me to spy?”

  Burgess shook his head and said, “Nothing of the sort, Tal. I have a desire to be presented to the Duke should I come to Olasko, and if you hear of this or that, something that might gain me and my associates a trading advantage, well, let’s say the rewards might prove generous.”

  Tal again paused, then said, “How generous?”

  “That depends,” said Burgess. “If you can get my trading consortium an audience with Duke Kaspar, you’ll be well rewarded. If we can arrange for trade concessions, you’ll be wealthy.”

  Tal remained silent, as if pondering the offer. “As long as I don’t find myself violating my oath to the Duke.”

  Burgess spread his hands. “We would never consider asking you to do something like that.”

  “Well, I might be wil
ling to see what I can do.”

  “Wonderful. My offices are well-known; they are down by the dockside, not too far from the royal docks.

  Anyone there can direct you to me. Should you decide to cooperate, either come visit or send word. If I am back home with my wife when she returns, one of my associates will be there.” He stood up. “Now, Squire, I best be to bed. This has been a pleasant, if costly, night.” They shook hands, and Burgess departed.

  Tal waited a few moments, then rose and crossed the room to where Amafi sat. “Wait, then follow. See if anyone comes behind me,” he said as he walked past.

  Amafi nodded slightly as Tal departed.

  Tal stepped out into the night air, aware that the city had fallen quiet. There were still plenty of signs of life, _______________

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  but none of the din that accompanied the business of the day. He walked along the cobbled road, heading toward the palace. He was going to be walking alone for at least half an hour, so he set his mind to thinking about what he needed to do next.

  Either Burgess was an agent of the Isles’ Crown or he was as he said, an ambitious trader, but either way his first concern wasn’t serving the Duke or Tal’s enrichment. He would have to be carefully dealt with.

  Halfway to the palace, Tal realized he was being followed. He kept alert for attack, but none came by the time he reached the palace gates. He identified himself to the guard on duty and informed him that his manservant would be along shortly, and that he didn’t speak a word of the King’s Tongue. The guard captain said they would send him along, and Tal reached his quarters without incident.

  Less than a quarter of an hour later, Amafi entered the rooms. “Magnificence, it was as you thought. You were followed.”

  “An agent of the King of the Isles, no doubt,” said Tal as he removed his boots.

  “No, Magnificence. I recognized the man who followed.”

  “Who was it?”

  “Captain Prohaska. The Duke had you followed.”

  “Ah,” said Tal. “That changes things.”

  “What will you do, Magnificence?”

  Tal motioned for Amafi to take away his dirty clothing. “Why, that’s obvious. Tomorrow I will go to the Duke and confess everything. Now, blow out the candle and go to sleep.”