Read Online Rise of a Merchant Prince by Raymond E. Feist - Free Book Online

Darkmoor.”
    The man took his hand. “Duncan Avery.”
    Roo’s eyes widened. “Cousin Duncan?”
    The eyes of the man who had named himself Avery narrowed as he studied Roo. After a long moment he said, “Rupert?”
    Suddenly they were laughing, and the man Rupert called cousin gave him a quick hug. “I haven’t seen you since you were a tadpole, youngster.” He stepped back and a wry smile graced his features.
    Erik glanced back and forth and couldn’t see even the most remote resemblance. While Roo was short, wiry, and signally unattractive, Duncan Avery was tall, slender, with broad shoulders, and handsome. Moreover, he dressed like a dandy, save for his sword, which was well used and well cared for. He sported a slender mustache, but otherwise was clean-shaven, and his hair hung to his shoulders, where it was cut evenly and curled under.
    Pulling out a chair, Duncan signaled the serving girl to bring his plate and mug over, and sat.
    Erik said, “I didn’t know you had a cousin, Roo.”
    Roo’s eyes narrowed. “Of course you did.”
    Erik waved away his previous comment. “I mean, I know you have a number of them in Salador and elsewhere in the east, but you’ve never mentioned this gentleman before.”
    Duncan thanked the girl and winked at her, causing her to retire with a giggle as he said, “I’m crushed, Rupert. What does your friend mean, you’ve never spoken of me?”
    Roo sat back, shaking his head. “It’s not like we were close, Duncan. I saw you, what? Three times in my life?”
    Duncan laughed. “Something like that. Tried myhand at the teamsters trade when I was a boy,” he said to Erik. “Got as far as riding with Roo’s pa from Ravensburg to Malac’s Cross, where I quit. Roo was no more than five then.” His face turned somber. “Only time I got to meet his ma.”
    â€œWhen was the last time we saw each other?” asked Roo. Duncan rubbed his chin. “Can’t say I remember, save there was that lovely girl at the fountain: slender waist, ample hips and bosom, accommodating attitude . . . who was she?”
    â€œGwen,” supplied Roo. “And that must have been four or five years ago.” Roo pointed a fork at Duncan. “You were her first.” Then he grinned. “Many of the local lads owe you some thanks; you imparted a . . . certain enthusiasm in Gwen that we came to appreciate.”
    Erik laughed. “I’m not one of them,” he said.
    Roo said, “Maybe the only boy in Ravensburg who didn’t.”
    â€œHow are you related?” Erik asked Duncan.
    Duncan said, “My father is cousin to Roo’s father, Erik, and neither of those worthy gentlemen has much use for me.” To Roo he said, “How is your pa?”
    Roo shrugged. “Been a couple of years, really. We’re on our way to Ravensburg now. Where are you headed?”
    â€œI’m for the east, seeking my fortune as usual. I tried my hand doing mercenary duty down in the Vale of Dreams, but the work’s too dangerous, the women too dangerous”—both Erik and Roo laughed at that—“and the money scarce. So I’m for the eastern courts, where a man’s wits stand him as well as his sword.”
    Roo said, “I might have some use for that wit.”
    â€œWhat’s the plan?” asked Duncan, suddenly interested.
    â€œNothing dodgy. Some honest business, but I think I can use someone who knows his way around polite company.”
    Duncan shrugged. “Well, I’ll ride with you to Ravensburg and we can talk along the way. Besides, you’ve got my curiosity piqued.”
    â€œWhy?” asked Erik.
    â€œThe way you two moved . . . it was a sight. When I last saw Rupert he was a scrawny kid barely able to keep himself upright while he pissed, but now he looked downright lethal when he