The Complete Krondor’s Sons 2-Book Collection: Prince of the Blood, The King’s Buccaneer. Raymond E. Feist
sake. If you ever try anything that foolish again, I will personally beat you within an inch of your existence.’
Erland pushed James’s hand away. ‘I haven’t forgotten that.’ Erland circled his horse, anger on his face. ‘I haven’t forgotten that for an instant, my lord Earl. Not since my brother died!’ Suddenly, Erland kicked his mount and was riding at a fast gallop back toward the city. James signalled and the Kingdom honour guard gave chase. They wouldn’t try to stop him, but they wouldn’t let him ride unprotected either.
Locklear came to where James sat, now alone, and said, ‘The boy’s not making it easy, is he?’
James shook his head. ‘It’s the sort of thing you or I would have tried at his age.’
Locklear said, ‘Were we really that stupid?’
‘I’m afraid so, Locky.’ James glanced around. ‘They’re taking the lion’s head, so we’ll be heading back to the palace. And they’ll be inviting us to another celebration.’
Locklear grimaced. ‘Has anyone ever told these people that it’s acceptable for less than fifty people to eat together at one time?’
‘Apparently not,’ answered James, kicking his horse into motion.
‘Let’s go soothe our Prince’s wounded pride,’ said Locklear.
James looked off toward where Erland rode, closely followed by his guard, and said, ‘It’s not his pride that’s wounded, Locky.’ Glancing at the ceremonial dismemberment of the lion, he said, ‘Diigai is the same age as Erland … and Borric. Erland misses his brother.’ James let out a long breath, almost a loud sigh. ‘As do we all. Come on, we still need to talk to him.’
Together, the two advisors approached the waiting Kafi Abu Harez, who turned his mount and joined in with them to ride back to the city. As they left the celebrating Keshians, Locklear asked, ‘Kafi, what has Erland done by taking a hand?’
The desertman said, ‘I do not know, my lord. Had your young Prince killed the lion, then he would have not only shamed Diigai by showing the world the boy could not hunt, he would have made a powerful enemy in Lord Jaka. As it is, he only distracted the animal, allowing the boy to regain his weapon and kill the cat.’ Kafi shrugged and smiled as he spurred his horse to a canter, along with James and Locklear. ‘Perhaps nothing will come of this. With the trueblood, who can say?’
James said, ‘I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.’ They rode the rest of the journey back to the city in silence.
Miya sat behind Erland in the pool, rubbing the tension from his neck and shoulders. They were alone, as Erland had sent away the others. While he had taken advantage of the willingness of the Keshian serving women available to him, he had discovered himself returning more and more to Miya’s company. He felt nothing he would call love for the young Keshian servant, but with her he felt the comfort of being able to relax and speak of what bothered him. She seemed to know when to stay silent or when to ask the probing question that cleared up his own confusion. And their lovemaking had progressed from the excitement of newness and raw clashing of desire to a more sedate familiarity of two people who understood one another’s need.
Another servant entered and said, ‘Highness, the Lord James asks permission to enter.’
Erland felt like refusing, but realized he would have to speak with James sometime today, so he nodded once. A moment later, James entered the bathing room.
James looked down upon the nude pair, and if he was startled to discover the girl with Erland, he hid it. He didn’t ask anything of the servant who remained in the room, but removed his cloak and handed it to the young woman, who took it from him. He then crossed over to a small stool, picked it up, and carried it himself to the pool’s side.
Putting the stool down, James sat on it and said, ‘Well, then. Feeling better?’
Erland said, ‘No. I’m still angry.’
‘Who are you mad at, Erland?’
For a silent moment the frustration was clearly etched on the young man’s face. Then it seemed to wash away as Miya continued to probe at the knots of tension in his neck and shoulders.
‘The universe, I guess. The gods of fate and chance. You. My father. Everyone.’ Then his voice fell away. ‘Mostly I’m furious with Borric for getting himself killed.’
James nodded. ‘I know. I feel that way, too.’
Erland let out a long sigh of tension released and said, ‘I guess that’s why I did what I did. I just couldn’t see that boy killed by that lion. Maybe the boy’s got a brother …’ Words failed him as tears came unbidden. For a moment, Erland sat in the warm pool, his grief manifested for the first time since the bandit attack. James waited while the young Prince cried for his dead brother, neither showing nor feeling embarrassment at the display. James had done his crying a week before, in the arms of his wife.
After a moment, Erland looked at his teacher with red-rimmed eyes. ‘Why, damn it?’
James could only shake his head. ‘Why? Only the gods know and they aren’t talking. At least not to me.’ He reached down and stuck his hand into the water. A moment later he withdrew it and wiped his brow. ‘Some things make sense, others don’t. I don’t know.’
James was reflective a while, then said, ‘Look, I’ve not told you this. Your father saved my life. A couple of times. Now I’m no more an expert on why a Prince of the Isles should save the life of a boy thief than I am on why another Prince of the Isles should die in an ambush on the way to a birthday party. I can only tell you that no one ever told me, ever told me, that life makes sense. It just is.’
Erland sank back against Miya’s soft body and let warmth infuse him. He sighed and felt something leave from within, an ache that had been there every minute since the ambush. ‘It’s so odd,’ he said quietly. ‘It just hit me now that Borric must be dead. Yet …’
‘What?’ James asked quietly.
‘I don’t know.’ Erland looked at James and there was a question in his eyes. ‘How is it supposed to feel? I mean, Borric and I haven’t spent more than a few days apart ever. It’s like we were … just part of each other. I thought that if I lost him, or he me, we’d … feel it. Do you know what I mean?’
James got up. ‘I think so. At least, I think I know as much as anyone can who has never had one in their life to be as close with as you two were with each other. But I’ve watched you since you were babies and I’ve seen you fight and play. I think I know what you mean.’
Erland sighed again. ‘I just thought it would feel different. That’s all. It’s not like he’s dead, you know, just very far away.’ Erland’s eyes got heavy and he closed them. A moment later his breathing became more regular and he dozed.
James motioned for the servant who held his cloak to return it. To Miya he said, ‘We dine with the Empress again, tonight. Wake him when it’s time.’
She nodded, not speaking so as not to wake the sleeping Prince. James folded his cloak over his arm and departed.
Erland finished dressing as Miya announced Lord Jaka. The Prince was not surprised, as he had a feeling there would be a reaction from Diigai’s father over this afternoon’s business. Erland motioned for the servant to admit the Keshian noble and a few moments later the tall warrior entered. Miya moved a discreet distance away, out of earshot but close enough should Erland need her.
Jaka bowed before Erland, then said, ‘My lord Prince, I trust I have not come at an inopportune minute?’
‘No, Lord Jaka. I was just finishing my dressing in anticipation of dining with your Empress.’
Jaka made a gesture with both his hands, held parallel and moving them downward and out, the meaning of which Kafi had told him was, ‘May heaven protect,’ or ‘May heaven give bounty,’ an all-purpose benediction.