Rage of a Demon King

  Lowering his voice, Erik said, “Come with me a moment.”

  Roo signaled to Karli that he would be with Erik, and she nodded. The children were freshly scrubbed and on their best behavior, as Roo and a score of the most important merchants mingled with the assembled nobles as guests of the Prince, at a private reception of his prior to the general festivities.

  Duncan Avery was deep in conversation with Sylvia Esterbrook, and Erik absently wondered if Roo had intentionally inflicted his boorish cousin on the girl to keep Karli free of suspicion.

  Roo asked, “What is it?”

  “Ah,” Erik began, then he said, “I see you brought Helen Jacoby and her children.”

  “Yes,” answered Roo. “They’re quickly becoming a fixture in my life.” He grinned. “Actually, Helen is a wonderful woman, and she and Karli hit it off. And the children get along like kittens in a litter.

  “Now, tell me what’s really on your mind. You didn’t ask me over here to talk about Helen Jacoby, and you’ve got something stuck in your craw. I know you too well, Erik von Darkmoor; I’m your best friend, remember? You want a favor. You’ve never known how to ask for one, so just say it.”

  “I want you to hide Kitty,” he said softly.

  Roo’s eyes widened. Of those not members of the Prince’s court he knew more of what was going on in the Kingdom than any man. He had served with Calis’s forces and had seen the ravages of the Emerald Queen. He knew about the preparations for the coming war, as his various companies were doing more business with the Crown than any other like concerns. He could judge to a fairly accurate degree just what sort of defense was being mounted and where, because it was his wagons that were carrying arms and provisions throughout the Principality.

  He also knew Kitty’s status and who she had been before being captured by Lord James, and he knew what it meant to run afoul of the Duke of Krondor. He hesitated an instant, then said, “Done.”

  Erik’s relief was almost too much. Tears began to gather in his eyes. Getting his emotions under control, he whispered, “Thank you.”

  “When do you plan to sneak her out of the city?”

  Glancing around to see they weren’t being overheard, Erik said, “At sundown. I’ve gotten her some common clothing and a theatrical wig. She will mingle with farmers leaving to return to the nearby villages.

  “I’ve left money and a horse for her at the Inn of the Silent Rooster near the village of Essford. The innkeeper thinks the daughter of a wealthy merchant is eloping with me, and he’s been paid enough not to ask questions.”

  Roo grinned. He had borrowed money from Erik to start his enterprises nearly two years earlier, and that relatively little bit of gold Roo had taken had come back to Erik a thousandfold. “So you’ve finally found a use for the money I’ve made you?”

  Erik managed a faint smile. “Yes, finally.”

  “Well, I hope you didn’t overpay him. That’s one of my inns, and you could have gotten the service for free.”

  Erik laughed. “Is there anything in Krondor you don’t own?”

  Roo glanced to where Sylvia was laughing at something Duncan had said, and replied, “Yes, I’m sorry to say there is.”

  Erik ignored the reference. “When are you leaving for your estates?” he asked.

  “Tomorrow. Kitty need only spend tonight at the inn. Tomorrow she can come to my home. I’ll put her to work in the kitchen and tell Karli and the rest of the staff I’m doing her a favor.” He thought about it, then added, “I’ll make up some story about her being from one of my other inns, I’ll decide which later, and some business about a squabble.” He lowered his voice. “Then I’ll tell Karli the truth, and she’ll gladly remain silent. She loves the notion of romance.”

  Erik shook his head. “Whatever, Roo. And thanks.”

  “Come on,” said the little man. “We better get back to the pleasures of the day and mix around. I take it you’re heading to the Sign of the Broken Shield?”

  “As soon as it’s politic for me to go.” Erik smiled. “People would wonder if Kitty and I had a falling out if I didn’t go spend Banapis with her.”

  Roo had an idea. He whispered into Erik’s ear, “Take her to the temple and marry her. If James discovers what’s afoot, he’ll think less ill of you for trying to save your wife from the coming carnage.”

  Erik stood dumbstruck. “Marriage?” He looked at his friend. “I never thought of it.”

  Roo’s gaze narrowed. “You’ve been a soldier too long, friend.”

  They both laughed, and then Erik turned to find Karli approaching. He said, “Mrs. Avery, I return your husband to you.”

  Karli smiled. “Thank you. The children are bored with all the adult talk and we’re taking them down to the courtyard to see the jugglers and jesters.”

  Roo said, “Ware the mountebanks. Don’t buy anything! I’ll be along in a moment.”

  Erik saw he was joking, and Karli pointedly ignored him. She and Helen took the children, bade good-bye to the Duke’s wife, and departed.

  Suddenly both Erik and Roo felt a stab of panic as the Lady Gamina turned her gaze upon them. Both men were all too familiar with her talents in reading men’s minds, and both instantly knew she had sensed something in what they were doing.

  She paused a moment, and a look of sadness mixed with resignation crossed her face; then she approached them. Both men bowed, and Erik said, “Duchess, it’s a pleasure.”

  Lady Gamina said, “You’ll never make a convincing liar, Erik, so don’t try.” Glancing at Roo, she said, “Don’t attempt to teach him, either. Men as honest as Erik are few and far between.” She studied Erik’s face. “I never willingly intrude on another’s thoughts, unless I’m bidden by my husband for the good of the state”—her eyes hinted at some regret at that—“but occasionally thoughts come to me unbidden, by those who don’t realize they are ‘shouting’ their concerns. Usually, it’s something to do with great emotion.” She smiled slightly. “So why did you suddenly shout ‘marriage,’ Erik?”

  Erik blushed furiously. “It’s just . . . I’m going to marry Kitty.”

  Gamina looked at him a moment, then smiled. “You do love her, then, don’t you?”

  “I do.”

  The old woman reached out and gently patted Erik’s hand.

  “Then get married, young man. I don’t know how pointless it is to wish someone happiness in the days to come, but grab what you can.” Glancing over her shoulder to where her husband stood surrounded by other nobles, she said, “Enjoy your youth, and if all ends well, treasure her. I know how hard it is to be one who serves the King. And I know even more what it is to be married to one who serves the King.”

  Saying nothing more, she moved away toward her husband.

  Roo glanced at Erik and with a nod of his head indicated they should move out of the crowded reception chamber. In a hallway, relatively empty, Roo whispered, “Do you think she knows?”

  Erik nodded. “She knows.”

  “But she isn’t going to say anything?”

  Erik shrugged. “I don’t think she’ll lie to her husband, not for you or me, but I think she’s not going to volunteer anything either.” He was thoughtful a moment. “There is something very sad about her.”

  Roo shrugged. “If you say so.” He glanced into the reception room. “I’d better see what Duncan is up to.”

  “Right,” said Erik with a heavy dose of sarcasm. He knew full well it was Sylvia to whom Roo wished to attend. “I’ve got a few things to do around here before I can see Kitty.” He whispered in his friend’s ear, “Thank you. I’ll tell her to go to your estate tomorrow.”

  Roo whispered back, “I’ll dress her up as a maid when we travel east, in a month’s time.”

  “That’s cutting it close.”

  “Any earlier and the Duke will find an excuse to arrest me, you can be certain.” He squeezed Erik’s arm and went back into the room.

  Erik walked to his quarters, where he planne
d on changing out of his black tunic with the crimson eagle on it, preferring to wear common garb on Banapis. He reached his small quarters, and stripped off his tunic. As he folded it, he regarded the red bird sewn on the chest.

  What was Calis doing this Banapis, he wondered.

  * * *

  Calis pointed. “There!”

  Anthony closed his eyes and muttered a series of soft syllables under his breath, and the air before them shimmered. It seemed to bend and contract and suddenly a lens appeared before them, upon which they could clearly see the fleet of the Emerald Queen as it progressed through the Straits of Darkness.

  The old magician gasped a bit for breath. “That is perhaps the most useful thing I have ever learned to do. It bends the air into a spherical lens to magnify light. Very passive, and we should not be detected at this distance unless the Pantathians are being supremely suspicious.”

  The two men stood high atop a peak overlooking the Straits, the southernmost spire of the Grey Towers. “Sit down,” said Calis. “You’re short of breath.”

  “It’s the altitude,” said Anthony. As he sat, he added, “And the age.” He glanced at the morning sun. “And being forced out at such a foul hour to climb mountains. Transporting us here was more strain than I thought.”

  Anthony was a slender man in his late fifties, his hair faded from pale yellow to grey-white, though his skin was still relatively unwrinkled. He let out a long breath and drew a deeper one. “I used to be able to climb around up here without passing out.”

  Calis turned and smiled at his old friend. “Perhaps you exaggerate? The South Pass is a full three thousand feet lower than this spire. I doubt you’ve ever been close to any elevation greater than that.”

  “Well, all right, so I exaggerate.” The brother-in-law of the Duke of Crydee lay back on the rocks, attempting to get as comfortable as conditions permitted. “I’m too tired to look. What do you see?”

  “The vanguard is through the Straits and has fanned out in an attack formation. How do I turn this thing?”

  Despite the season, the wind was chilled, for they sat atop a peak eight thousand feet in the air. Anthony said, “I have to turn it. Which way?”

  “First to the right. I want to see what the bulk of her fleet’s deployment is.”

  Anthony held up his hand until it was parallel to the air lens, then he slowly turned his hand in a half-arc. The lens moved in a similar arc.

  The two men had been companions on Calis’s first trip to Novindus. Anthony had been the court magician to Duke Martin, and had been in love with Martin’s daughter, Margaret. He had voyaged with Nicholas, Calis, and others in an attempt to recover the kidnapped Margaret and other hostages, and they had sailed halfway around the world.

  Anthony said, “Have I mentioned that whenever you show up, things seem to get very bad for me?”

  “Coincidence,” said Calis with a smile. “I’m almost certain.” He glanced at the lens. “Hold it there a moment.” He studied the deployment of the fleet and said, “Damn.”

  “What?” asked Anthony.

  “They’re being very cautious.”

  “How?”

  “They’ve sent skirmishers farther up the coast than Nicky thought.”

  “That’s bad.”

  “It means Nicky’s going to have to fight warships and will do little damage to the fleet even if he wins.”

  “That is bad.” Anthony sniffed at the air. “Do you smell something?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Just asking,” said Anthony as he sniffed again.

  “Swing this back a little.” Anthony did as Calis bade, and when Calis again said, “Hold it here,” he stopped. Calis said, “The Queen’s got a circle of warships around her craft, and . . .” He paused a moment. “That’s odd.”

  “What?”

  “Take a look.”

  Anthony got up with some theatrical groaning and moved to look over Calis’s shoulder. “Gods and fishes!”

  “What do you see?”

  “I see a demon sitting on a throne.”

  Calis said, “Looks like Lady Clovis to me.”

  “Well, you’re not a magician,” said Anthony. He took out a bag of powder and said, “Sniff this.”

  Calis did as Anthony instructed, and suddenly sneezed. “What was that?”

  “Sorry, one of the ingredients is pepper. Don’t wipe your eyes.”

  Trying to blink away teas, Calis looked through the lens. For a moment he could see two figures upon the dais in the center of the ship, the illusion of the Emerald Queen and the demon. “That might explain what happened to Pug.”

  “I’d like someone to explain to me what happened to Pug,” said Anthony. “I’m a simple magician. Truth to tell, I haven’t worked very hard at it since I got my title.”

  “That’s what comes of marrying into nobility,” said Calis.

  “There’s little call for magic when you’ve got estates to manage.”

  “You’ve filled in for Pug admirably so far,” said Calis dryly. “Think you could drop down there and dispose of that creature?”

  Anthony closed his eyes and incanted a silent phrase, then he made a loud snorting noise as he smelled deeply. He made a face and said, “No, and I doubt Pug could either.”

  “Really, why?”

  “Because I may not have as much power as Pug or be as clever as some of those fellows down at Stardock, but one thing I’m very good at is smelling magic.”

  “Smelling magic?”

  “Don’t ask. Secrets of the trade and all that.”

  “Anyway, you were saying?”

  Anthony said, “I’m serious; I can smell the reek all the way up here, and we’re miles away. Something big went off around that ship, and it could have been Pug. If what I smell lingering is what’s left over, it was a magical exchange of tremendous powers. Given that creature is still there, and Pug’s nowhere to be seen, we can only assume the worst.”

  Calis sighed. “That seems to be the way things have been working, hasn’t it?”

  “Can we leave? I’m getting cold.”

  “In a while. Move this thing back to the left; I want to look down across the southwestern horizon if you can manage that.”

  “It’s like a glass; you can see only as far as you could with your own eyes from this perspective, if your own eyes could see that far. For what you’re asking, you need a crystal, and I neglected to bring one. Besides, if I had a crystal, which I don’t, the first person who turns it on that creature is likely to get his eyes blistered for trying.”

  “Well, as far that way”—Calis pointed—“as you can manage.”

  Anthony did as he was asked, and heard a satisfied “Ah” from Calis.

  “What?” asked the magician.

  “The Queen sends a skirmish line up the northern coast toward Tulan. But she only lightly guards her southern flank.”

  “Well, there’re a lot of deserted islands and the Trollhome Mountains to the south of the Straits. I doubt she fears a troll navy, as they haven’t evidenced one in recent memory.”

  “No, but Keshian Elarial is but a week’s sailing down the far Keshian coast, and Li Meth is only two days’ travel to the west of her vanguard. And those deserted islands are just the place for pirates to hide.”

  Anthony was silent a moment. Then he said, “James?”

  “Most certainly. He’s been spreading rumors for months of a treasure fleet from a fabled land coming this way.”

  “He is a sneaky bastard, isn’t he?”

  Calis said, “I think I see sails.” He extended his hand to the southeast. “Please move the lens that way.”

  “I get a headache every time I do.”

  “Please,” Calis repeated.

  “Very well.” Anthony did as he was asked, and Calis said, “It’s a raiding fleet from Durbin and Li Meth! Must be a hundred warships!” He laughed. “It must be every Keshian pirate between Elarial and Durbin.”

  Anthony looked.
“And a few of them appear to be irritated to discover they have neighbors visiting.”

  “The captains of Durbin are not exactly what you’d call welcome guests in Li Meth, as often as not. Move the lens over there, please.”

  Calis watched as the lens swung around to an orientation slightly north of west. “Ah, the Quegans!”

  “How far?”

  “Two days, maybe, if I judge the magnification.”

  Anthony waved his hand and the lens vanished. “Good. Now can we go home?”

  “Yes. I need to see my father. If something has happened to Pug he’s the most likely to know about it.” Silently he thought that his father would also know if something had happened to Miranda. Nakor had indicated that Pug and Miranda were together, and something about the little man’s silence after he said that set Calis’s mind to worry.

  Calis reached into his cloak and pulled out an old-looking metal sphere. He motioned for Anthony to stand next to him, and the magician put one hand upon his friend’s arm and activated a lever in the side of the sphere with his thumb.

  Instantly they passed through the void, and found themselves, feeling slightly disoriented, standing in the rear courtyard at Castle Crydee. Three figures stood waiting.

  “What did you see?” asked Duke Marcus. He was a man nearly equal in height to Calis, and once he had been powerfully built, but while age showed little on the half-elf, on the fifty-year-old Duke it was starting to take a toll. Marcus was still a robust man, but some of his muscle had turned to fat and his hair was now completely grey.

  Beside him stood two women, one obviously Marcus’s sister by the family resemblance. She had a straight nose, like her brother’s, and her eyes were even, unblinking, and despite the lines of age and sun, a striking brown. She was also strong-looking for her age. Lady Margaret, the Duke’s sister and Anthony’s wife, said, “Anthony?”

  He smiled as he said, “It’s cold up there, dear, even at this time of the year.”

  Marcus smiled. “So you got where you wanted to go?”

  “Let’s have a drink and we’ll talk,” suggested the magician.

  The third person greeting them, the Duchess Abigail, said, “There’s a meal waiting. We didn’t know how long you’d be.” Marcus’s wife lacked his or his sister’s outward signs of vitality, but her step was quick and her slight figure hinted at a dancer’s lithe strength. She smiled quickly as she motioned for Calis and her brother-in-law to come through the rear entrance to the castle.