Read Online Prince of the Blood by Raymond Feist - Free Book Online
Authors: Raymond Feist
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“Well, at least that rids us of the problem of how to keep the Ambassador busy and out from under foot.”
Arutha said, “We have two possibilities to consider.Either someone wants to keep the Empire together, and what better way to avoid a civil war than by plunging the Empire into a major war with a neighbor?”
James finished. “Or someone wants to use a war with Isles or the threat of a war to pull the Empire apart.”
Gardan said, “And the list of those who would delight in seeing Kesh collapse is not short.”
Arutha stood. “I’m sending you into another mess, Jimmy. But this one has consequences as dire as any before if mistakes are made. I would not bother to inform you of the obvious, save this time you’re laboring with a grave handicap.”
James smiled. “Borric and Erland will be kept on a short leash.”
“Don’t let them start a war, please?” Then without another word, he departed, the Duke following after.
James had come to understand Arutha’s moods as well as any outside his family. A mind as complex and deep as the Prince’s was like a chess master’s; Arutha was planning every conceivable outcome as many moves in advance as possible.
James left the room and found Locklear and the twins waiting for him outside the door. “We leave early in the morning,” James informed them.
Borric said, “We’re not due to leave for another three days.”
James said, “Officially. If your Keshian friend has compatriots about, I would prefer they not know our plans.” He glanced at Locklear. “We’ll slip out of the palace before dawn and gather at a tavern. Horses and supplies will be waiting for us. A small mounted troop, twenty guards, dressed as mercenaries. Couriers leave in an hour by fast horses. Arutha’s sending word to Shamata that we’re going to need fresh mounts and stores enough for two hundred escorts.”
Locklear said, “We’ll be arriving in Shamata at the same time as any message, and two hundred—”
James cut him off. “We want any Keshian agents who might be paying attention to think we’ll travel in state to Shamata. But we’re not going to Shamata. We’re going to Stardock.”
CHAPTER THREE
STARDOCK
D UST SWIRLED .
Twenty-four riders moved at a steady pace along the edge of the Great Star Lake. A week and a half of hard riding had taken them southward from Krondor, to Landreth on the north coast of the Sea of Dreams. Then, from where it entered the sea, the Star River led them farther southward, the rugged mountains of the Grey Range always in sight as they entered the lush Vale of Dreams. Years of border wars between the Kingdom and the Empire had seen this rich farming land changing hands many times. Those who lived in this part of the world spoke the languages of the Southern Kingdom and the Northern Empire with equal fluency. And the sight of twenty-four armed mercenaries evoked no notice. Many armed bands of men rode the vale.
At the midpoint of the river, near a small waterfall, they forded the currents, making for the south shore. Upon reaching the headwaters of the Star River, the Great Star Lake, they turned to track the shoreline southward, seeking that point closest to the island dominating the center of the lake: Stardock. There they would find the ferry that provided passage from the shore to the island.
Along the banks of the shore they passed tiny fishingand farming villages—little groups of huts and cottages often populated by no more than an extended family—but all looking prosperous and well tended. The community of magicians upon Stardock had grown over the years, and now other communities had developed to meet the demands for food of those upon the island.
Borric urged his horse forward as they rounded a small promontory of land, bringing them their first clear view of the large building upon the island. It nearly shone in the orange light of the sunset, while the advancing night behind turned the distant sky violet and grey.
Arutha said, “We have two possibilities to consider.Either someone wants to keep the Empire together, and what better way to avoid a civil war than by plunging the Empire into a major war with a neighbor?”
James finished. “Or someone wants to use a war with Isles or the threat of a war to pull the Empire apart.”
Gardan said, “And the list of those who would delight in seeing Kesh collapse is not short.”
Arutha stood. “I’m sending you into another mess, Jimmy. But this one has consequences as dire as any before if mistakes are made. I would not bother to inform you of the obvious, save this time you’re laboring with a grave handicap.”
James smiled. “Borric and Erland will be kept on a short leash.”
“Don’t let them start a war, please?” Then without another word, he departed, the Duke following after.
James had come to understand Arutha’s moods as well as any outside his family. A mind as complex and deep as the Prince’s was like a chess master’s; Arutha was planning every conceivable outcome as many moves in advance as possible.
James left the room and found Locklear and the twins waiting for him outside the door. “We leave early in the morning,” James informed them.
Borric said, “We’re not due to leave for another three days.”
James said, “Officially. If your Keshian friend has compatriots about, I would prefer they not know our plans.” He glanced at Locklear. “We’ll slip out of the palace before dawn and gather at a tavern. Horses and supplies will be waiting for us. A small mounted troop, twenty guards, dressed as mercenaries. Couriers leave in an hour by fast horses. Arutha’s sending word to Shamata that we’re going to need fresh mounts and stores enough for two hundred escorts.”
Locklear said, “We’ll be arriving in Shamata at the same time as any message, and two hundred—”
James cut him off. “We want any Keshian agents who might be paying attention to think we’ll travel in state to Shamata. But we’re not going to Shamata. We’re going to Stardock.”
CHAPTER THREE
STARDOCK
D UST SWIRLED .
Twenty-four riders moved at a steady pace along the edge of the Great Star Lake. A week and a half of hard riding had taken them southward from Krondor, to Landreth on the north coast of the Sea of Dreams. Then, from where it entered the sea, the Star River led them farther southward, the rugged mountains of the Grey Range always in sight as they entered the lush Vale of Dreams. Years of border wars between the Kingdom and the Empire had seen this rich farming land changing hands many times. Those who lived in this part of the world spoke the languages of the Southern Kingdom and the Northern Empire with equal fluency. And the sight of twenty-four armed mercenaries evoked no notice. Many armed bands of men rode the vale.
At the midpoint of the river, near a small waterfall, they forded the currents, making for the south shore. Upon reaching the headwaters of the Star River, the Great Star Lake, they turned to track the shoreline southward, seeking that point closest to the island dominating the center of the lake: Stardock. There they would find the ferry that provided passage from the shore to the island.
Along the banks of the shore they passed tiny fishingand farming villages—little groups of huts and cottages often populated by no more than an extended family—but all looking prosperous and well tended. The community of magicians upon Stardock had grown over the years, and now other communities had developed to meet the demands for food of those upon the island.
Borric urged his horse forward as they rounded a small promontory of land, bringing them their first clear view of the large building upon the island. It nearly shone in the orange light of the sunset, while the advancing night behind turned the distant sky violet and grey.
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