return to Rillanon from Sorcerer’s Isle after his last meeting with Pug. He had agents, if he could trust them, attempting to secure more orbs from a LaMutian artificer of Tsurani descent who claimed he could make them, but as yet none of the promised devices had been forthcoming.
As a result of this, when word of his grandfather’s situation had reached him on the mainland he had been halfway to the city of Ran to observe Keshian activities in that region. He had ridden like a madman to the royal docks in the city of Rodez, only to discover the entire royal fleet had been dispatched to picket duty in support of the fleet out of Ran. So he had purchased outright the fastest ship he could find, a dilapidated fishing boat in need of a complete overhaul, and made straight for Rillanon.
Jim had encountered no Keshian ships this far inside Kingdom waters but had been challenged on the outskirts of Sadara, the Kingdom’s second-largest city outside the mainland. He presented his documents, then ordered the crew to sink the schooner rather than bother towing it, and commandeered their frigate.
Riding horses into the ground, sailing on a filthy fishing boat, and having no means to improve his appearance on the frigate lent him an entirely woeful and disreputable appearance when he finally reached the royal docks in Rillanon City But if the naval guards at the quay wondered who this dirty traveller might be, the fact that he was rowed ashore by a very deferential crew of sailors from a royal frigate caused them to stand aside as he hurried past and up the long incline to the main street above.
Jim had dodged indifferent workers, curious merchants, and concerned guards. Rillanon was on a full wartime footing and the appearance of anyone out of the ordinary was cause for alarm. He had been challenged by the officer at the gate, but in less than a minute he was riding on that officer’s horse, racing up the long road from the harbour to the palace.
Nearing his grandfather’s private chambers now, he saw two guards posted outside. He spoke forcefully, ‘Open the bloody doors!’
‘No one is admitted without-’
That was as far as he got before Jim shoved past the guard and started to push open the door. The other guard reached over and found himself on the floor before he could put hands on Jim.
The doors swung wide into the antechamber of his grandfather’s apartment, and Jim was confronted by another pair of sentries, but with the addition of a sergeant of the royal household guard. Rather than try to physically attack Jim, the old soldier merely stood before the door with his hands up, palms out saying, ‘Hold up a minute, Jimmy.’
Recognizing the sergeant, Jim said, ‘I want to see grandfather, Jacky.’
Sergeant Jack Mallory nodded. ‘He’s sleeping, and you’re a fright.’
Jim began to calm down as the guards he had knocked over hurried up behind him. The sergeant made a shooing motion towards the outer door.
‘How is he?’ asked Jim.
Motioning for Jim to follow him, the sergeant moved away and keeping his voice low, said, ‘Well, your grandfather’s old, Jimmy. But there’s something else …’
‘What?’ asked Jim, his eyes narrowing.
‘You know I’ve been with the old man for … well, since you were a baby,’ whispered the sergeant.
Jim nodded.
‘I think I know him pretty well, his moods, his good days, his bad days, you know what I mean.’
‘Yes,’ said Jim. ‘What is it?’
‘Something’s not quite right here. I can’t put my finger on it, but your grandfather started complaining about his stomach a month ago. You know him. He doesn’t complain.’
Jim nodded again. After a moment he said, ‘You suspect poison?’
‘After the way things have been around here, I suspect everything.’
Jim felt exasperated. He had raced without rest from halfway to the eastern border of the Kingdom only to return to this. ‘What do the healers say? The priests?’
‘No one says anything, and whatever you hear comes from the office of Sir William Alcorn. That’s why those lads outside were so anxious to stop you. Orders are no one sees your grandfather without Sir William’s writ.’
Jim reached into his tunic and pulled out a small purse hanging from a cord around his neck and opened it. A folded piece of parchment was all it contained and Jim took it out, unfolded it and handed it to the sergeant.
Sergeant Mallory read it. Then he said, ‘You play Follow-the-Queen Poker, Jimmy?’
‘Terrible game. What’s the point?’
‘Well, as we’d say in that game, a command from the Duke of Rillanon trumps any orders given by Sir William, despite him having the title of King’s Magistrate.’ He grinned. ‘Or at least that’s how I see it and even if the King should think otherwise, I’ll stand before him and say that’s how I see it right now.’
‘Thank you, Jacky.’
‘Now, you get to your quarters and get cleaned up, and as soon as he stirs, I’ll send for you. You look like you could use a bath, meal, and nap, Jimmy.’
Jim smiled. Sergeant Mallory was one of the few around who called him ‘Jimmy.’ It came from when he had been a little boy and used to play being ‘Jimmyhand’ his legendary great-grandfather, Lord James, the first Jamison.
Without another word, Jim nodded, turned and left the antechamber to his grandfather’s private apartment and walked slowly towards his own quarters. He saw a page hurrying down the hall and stopped him.
‘Sir?’ the boy asked.
‘Do you know me?’
The boy almost squinted as he looked at the dishevelled, dirty man before him, then recognition dawned. ‘Sir James?’
‘Close enough. I’m going to my quarters. I wish to be undisturbed for two hours. After which I want a hot bath, and while it’s being prepared I need half a roasted chicken, a bowl of rice, roasted potatoes, or turnips. A flagon of wine, and whatever fruit and vegetables they have ready to serve. Do you understand?’
‘Yes, m’lord.’
Jim walked to his own quarters and was almost staggering by the time he reached them. He fell onto his bed and was asleep before his head struck the pillow.
Jim was vaguely aware of a warm body snuggled in close behind him as he woke up. It took him only moments to be aware of his surroundings, but he still felt groggy as he asked, ‘You awake?’
‘Of course,’ said the female voice behind him.
He rolled over and found himself looking into a pair of dark eyes set in a lovely face of dusky skin — Keshian ancestry that had served her well over the years. James lifted himself on one arm and saw a maid’s dress draped over the chair at his writing desk. He glanced down at the naked young woman. ‘You’re a maid again?’
‘I thought it best to be in a believable role should someone interrupt your sleep. It also explains why I might have lingered after bringing in all that food you ordered.’ She indicated the large tray placed on a table opposite the bed, an ornate silver affair with a matching flagon.
‘The young lord and the willing maid, it is then?’
With a mocking smile she said, ‘Young lord?’
‘I said to be awoken, then brought food while I bathed.’
‘I tried to wake you,’ she returned. With lowered lashes and a half-smile, she added, ‘In several ways. It was obvious you needed sleep. You were exhausted. You slept through the night. I’m afraid the wine is no longer chilled and the chicken is cold.’
‘Better than I’ve had for a while.’
‘No doubt. I can send for fresh.’
‘Don’t bother. Now, what do you know?’ said James as he rolled off bed and realized he was also naked. ‘Did you undress me?’
‘Yes,’ she said standing up. ‘It wasn’t very convincing me being naked under the covers and you being full dressed on top.’ She grinned. ‘It’s not the first time I’ve removed your clothing.’
He returned the smile. ‘Well, you certainly didn’t bathe me,’ he said, wrinkling his nose.
‘Your bath’s been ready for almost an hour. I ordered it when I thought you likely to wake.’
