Yes, it arrived last month, and the King was kind enough to have a few bottles waiting here when I arrived. Now, answer the question.’
The last was as pointed a command as Kaspar had ever directed at Tal.
Tal tried to look sheepish. ‘Prince Matthew is a boor.’
‘True, but that hardly makes him unique among nobles here in Roldem. Why humiliate him in public?’
‘Because I couldn’t kill him and avoid the headsman, I suppose,’ said Tal, taking a sip of wine to give him pause. ‘Had he not been a royal I would have called him out on a matter of honour.’
‘Oh?’ said the Duke, his brows rising again. ‘Whose honour? Certainly not yours? You seem to be a pragmatic sort, not one given to overblown principles.’
Realizing he hadn’t thought this through as thoroughly as he should, Tal said, ‘A lady’s honour, sir.’
‘You’re in dispute with Prince Matthew over a lady?’
Tal knew this wouldn’t undergo close scrutiny if he strayed too far from a plausible story, so he improvised. ‘Not in dispute, but rather in defence. The lady in question is a widow and the Prince has been … too enthusiastic over pressing his attentions on her.’
‘Ah, then it would be Lady Gavorkin,’ said Kaspar with a chuckle. ‘I have sources for gossip here as well as in my own court.’
Tal shrugged. ‘The lady and I have been close. While I have no interest in marriage, she is looking for a new husband should circumstances permit, for already the Crown is considering taking away some of her estates and she fears the loss of revenue.’
Kaspar waved away further comment. ‘I know her situation. Had Matthew been seen in public with her, other interested noble sons would avoid her. I understand.’
Tal wasn’t certain if Kaspar believed the story or not. All Tal had go on was one remark Lady Gavorkin had made when he had come to call upon her one afternoon: that she found the Prince repellent.
‘Still,’ asked Kaspar with another chuckle, ‘did you have to make him cry like a child in public?’
‘Better than killing him,’ offered Tal.
‘Perhaps not,’ Kaspar said, ‘You have made a very bad enemy, because Matthew has no shred of forgiveness in his nature. He is the only member of the King’s close family who would use his power to avenge a personal slight. Even now there may be a bounty on your head. I’d watch your back for assassins, young Hawkins.’
‘That’s why I’ve come to you.’
‘With the King I might have some influence, and I am in your debt. But with Matthew …’ He spread his hands and shrugged.
‘Matthew wouldn’t dare attack me directly if I were in your service, Your Grace. I have decided to take you up on your offer of employment.’
Kaspar sat back. ‘I understand the cause, but it seems a sudden reversal, to be blunt.’
‘I weighed your offer before, Your Grace, and seriously considered it. I had hoped, however, to be able to find a position with a trading concern out of Salador, Ran and Bas-Tyra. Perhaps you’ve met their local agent, Quincy de Castle?’
A tiny flicker in Kaspar’s eyes revealed the lie as he said, ‘Don’t know the man. But why trading?’
Tal paused, as if gathering his thoughts. ‘I’m a noble only by the thinnest thread, Your Grace. The head of my family barely knows I exist, for I am a third cousin, once removed.’ He lowered his voice. ‘I only hold the title “Squire” by a deft manipulation of a local magistrate on my father’s part, truth to tell. And the lands that come with that title provide no income.’ Returning to a normal tone, he said, ‘To advance, I need two things: wealth and fame. I could either join the army – and truth to tell, I tried that for a little while, and thrashing goblins in the cold north is no route to either – or I could marry well. But to marry well, I need wealth and fame. A circle, don’t you see?’
‘I do.’
‘So I came east. Here is where politics and trade give a man opportunity, not out in the west. There it’s all duty and service, but here a man can find prospects. So, becoming Champion of the Masters’ Court gave me fame. And if I could rise financially with de Castle and his partners, then would I have wealth.’
‘I appreciate the general design, Squire, but aren’t there more direct routes?’
‘None that I can see. My best opportunity was Lady Gavorkin, but the Crown would never approve her marrying a poor country squire from the Isles.’
‘Especially now,’ said Kaspar with a chuckle.
‘Yes,’ agreed Tal with a pained smile. ‘But even had I restrained myself regarding the Prince, I think my future lies somewhere else. And now that it appears my prospects in Roldem have diminished …’ He shrugged.
‘You thought you would ride my coat-tails to greatness,’ finished Kaspar.
‘Yes, Your Grace.’
‘Not an unwise choice,’ said Kaspar. ‘I have a use for clever men – assuming you resist the temptation to humiliate princes in public in the future. There’s a captaincy for you in Opardum.’
‘Captaincy?’ Tal smiled. ‘As I said, I’ve tried the military life, Your Grace, and found it less than ideal for my talents.’
‘It’s a title. If you like, you may continue to call yourself “squire”, for no one will salute you and no one will have you marching around a parade ground. I have many captains in many capacities, and none of them wear a uniform.’
‘Ah,’ said Tal, as if he now understood. ‘You seek an agent.’
‘Agent is a good word. Factor is another. Or representative, depending on the need. Whatever the title, the function will be the same: to serve me with unswerving loyalty and vigour. The rewards will be quite in keeping with the effort.’
Tal finished his wine. ‘Should I pack?’
‘Soon,’ said Kaspar. ‘I linger here another week, then it’s off to Rillanon and a visit with the King of the Isles, then back to Opardum. You are not officially in my service until we reach Opardum. The reasons for this will be made clear to you then.
‘Until then, however, you will be under my protection. I will send a quiet word to Prince Matthew that I would take it as a personal affront should any ill befall you, and then reassure him that I’m getting you as far away from Roldem as possible.
‘Perhaps in three years’ time you might return to defend your championship. It will be awkward, but at least by then Matthew will have had a chance to reflect.’ He paused, then added brightly, ‘Or maybe by then someone else will have killed the posturing fool.’
Kaspar rose, signalling that the interview was over. ‘Return to your quarters and try to stay out of trouble, Squire.’
‘Yes, Your Grace,’ said Tal.
The Duke left through one door, and Tal departed through the other, finding Amafi waiting outside. He gestured for his new valet to fall in and they left the palace together, this time exiting through the main gate.
When they were safely outside the palace, Amafi asked, ‘Magnificence, what transpired?’
‘We are now in the service of Duke Kaspar of Olasko, Amafi.’
The former assassin grinned, for a moment looking positively lupine. Then he said, ‘So, now our rise to greatness begins!’
‘Yes,’ said Tal, though inside he felt as if it was a descent into darkness that lay before them.
The ship beat against the rolling combers as a stiff breeze hurried it towards the most magnificent city Tal had ever seen. No, he thought, more magnificent than he could