Raymond Feist - King of Foxes

Still, it was reassuring to know that these resources lay at his disposal should he need them. For he was ready to embark upon the most difficult and dangerous portion of his personal mission to avenge his people: he had to find a way to destroy Duke Kaspar of Olasko, the man ultimately responsible for the obliteration of the Orosini nation. And Duke Kaspar happened to be the most dangerous man in the world, according to many sources.

‘What news?’ asked Pasko.

‘Nothing new, really. Reports from the north say that Olasko is again causing trouble in the Borderlands, and may be once more seeking to isolate the Orodon. They still send patrols through my former homeland to discourage anyone who might think to claim Orosini lands.’ Then he asked, ‘What is the news in Roldem?’

‘The usual court intrigues, master, and quite a few rumours of this lady and that lord and their dalliances. In short, with little of note to comment upon, the nobles, gentry and wealthy commoners turn their attention to gossip.’

‘Let’s confine ourselves to matters of importance. Any sign of Olasko’s agents here in Roldem?’

‘Always. But nothing out of the ordinary, or at least nothing we can see that’s out of the ordinary. He builds alliances, seeks to do favours in exchange for social debts, loans gold, and insinuates himself in the good graces of others.’

Tal was silent for a long moment. Then he asked, ‘To what ends?’

‘Pardon?’

Tal leaned forward in his chair, elbows on knees. ‘He’s the most powerful man in the Eastern Kingdoms. He has blood ties to the throne of Roldem – he’s, what? Sixth in line of succession?’

‘Seventh,’ replied Pasko.

‘So why does he need to curry favour with Roldemish nobility?’

‘Indeed.’

‘He doesn’t need to,’ said Tal, ‘which means he wants to. But why?’

‘Lord Olasko is a man with many irons in the fire, master. Perhaps he has interests here in Roldem which might require a vote of the House of Lords?’

‘Perhaps. They ratify treaties enacted by the Crown, and verify succession. What else do they do?’

‘Not much else, save argue over taxes and land.’ Pasko nodded. ‘Given that Roldem is an island, master, land is of great importance.’ He grinned. ‘Until someone discovers how to build dirt.’

Tal grinned back. ‘I’m sure we know a few magicians who could increase the size of the island if they felt the need.’

Pasko said, ‘So, what are we doing back in Roldem, master?’

Tal sat back and sighed. ‘Playing the role of bored noble looking to find a better station in life. In short, I must convince Kaspar of Olasko I’m ready to take service with him by creating a muddle here that only he can get me out of.’

‘Such as?’

‘Picking a fight with a royal seems a good choice.’

‘What? You’re going to smack Prince Constantine and provoke a duel? The boy’s only fifteen years of age!’

‘I was thinking of his cousin, Prince Matthew.’

Pasko nodded. Matthew was the King’s cousin. He was considered the ‘difficult’ member of the royal family; more arrogant, demanding and condescending than any other member of the King’s family, he was also a womanizer, a drunk and he cheated at gambling. Rumour had it that the King had bailed him out of very difficult straits on a number of occasions. ‘Good choice. Kill him and the King will privately thank you … while his executioner is lopping off your head.’

‘I wasn’t thinking of killing him, just … creating enough of a fuss that the King would be unhappy with me remaining in his country.’

‘You’d have to kill him,’ said Pasko dryly. ‘As Champion of the Masters’ Court you could probably sleep with the Queen and the King would pass it off as a boyish prank. Why do you need all this bother? Olasko offered you a position when you won the tourney.’

‘Because I wish to appear the reluctant petitioner. I would have undergone close scrutiny had I accepted his offer immediately after the tourney two years ago. If I were to appear suddenly requesting that position today, I would undergo an even closer examination. But if I’m merely forced by circumstances to seek out his patronage, then my motives are obvious – at least I hope they are.

‘While at Sorcerer’s Isle, I was … prepared, to withstand a great deal of examination.’

Pasko nodded. He understood what was being said. Tal had been conditioned by Pug and the other magicians to deal with any magic that might uncover his true allegiance.

‘But the circumstances of my seeking service with Kaspar must also be credible. Being in his debt for my life seems an obvious motive.’

‘Assuming he can keep you off the headsman’s block.’ Pasko rubbed his throat. ‘I’ve always thought beheading a barbaric choice. Now, the Kingdom hangs its felons. A short drop –’ he snapped his fingers ‘– and the neck is broken, and it’s over. No mess, no fuss, no bother.

‘In Great Kesh, I’ve been told, they have many different choices of execution, depending on the location and nature of the crime: decapitation, burning at the stake, being buried up to your neck next to an anthill, drowning, exposure, being pulled apart by camels, being buried alive, defenestration –’

‘What?’

‘That’s throwing someone off a very high place onto the rocks below. My personal favourite is castration, then being fed to the crocodiles in the Overn Deep after having watched them first consume your manhood.’

Tal stood up. ‘Have I ever mentioned that you have a seriously morbid streak? Rather than contemplate the means of my demise, I’ll spend my energies on staying alive.’

‘Then, to a practical concern?’

Tal nodded.

‘While I suspect Duke Kaspar would intervene on your behalf in such a circumstance – the humiliation of Prince Matthew, I mean, not the feeding to crocodiles thing …’

Tal smiled.

‘… isn’t it going to be difficult for him to do so from across the seas?’

Tal’s smile broadened. ‘Nakor had intelligence from the north just as I left Salador; Duke Kaspar arrives within the week for a state visit.’

Pasko shrugged. ‘In aid of what?’

‘A little hand-holding for his distant cousin, I imagine, prior to doing something that might otherwise earn the King’s displeasure.’

‘Such as?’

‘We have no idea, but the north is constantly on a low roil, and Kaspar only has to raise the heat in one place or another for a kettle to boil over somewhere. That’s one of the many things I wish to find out.’

Pasko nodded. ‘Shall I draw you a bath?’

‘I think I’ll take a walk to Remarga’s and indulge in a long massage and tub there. Bring suitable clothing for an evening in town.’

‘Where will you be dining, master?’

‘I don’t know. Somewhere public.’

‘Dawson’s?’ The former inn was now exclusively a dining establishment for the noble and the rich, and had spawned a dozen imitators. ‘Dining out’ had become something of a pastime for those in the capital city.

‘Perhaps that new establishment, the Metropol. It’s considered the place to be seen, I have been told.’

‘It’s a private club, master.’

‘Then get me an invitation while I bathe, Pasko.’

With a wry expression, Pasko said, ‘I’ll see what I can do.’

‘I must be seen in public so word will spread I’m back in the city, but I need to be alone tonight when I finish supper and return to these quarters.’

‘Why, master?’

‘So I can find out who’s been following me since I left Salador, and what’s on his mind.’

‘A spy?’

With a stretch and a yawn, Tal said, ‘Probably an assassin.’