It took a ma.s.sive application of will power on the Princess's part not to push herself away from James. Her frozen smile looked almost painful as she said, "Really?" while behind her, Kazamir suppressed a laugh. Even Vladic betrayed a slight upturn of his mouth, the hint of a smile.

Just then James spied William, who had been stationed by the table of refreshments, and said, "Allow me to introduce someone to you, Highnesses." He signaled for the young cadet to approach and when William did, James said, "Highnesses, I have the honor of presenting William conDoin, son of the duke of Stardock and cousin to our Prince. He's about to be commissioned Knight-Lieutenant in the Prince's army." He quickly named his companions in order of rank.

Instantly the Princess's manner changed once more and again she was the vivacious charmer. William's color rose and now James was convinced there was something more to this Princess than her more obvious physical gifts. "Perhaps the cadet could show me some of the palace, while you entertain my brother and cousin, Squire James?"

James glanced at Swordmaster McWirth, who stood near the dais and with a nod of his head communicated the need for William to act as host to the visiting n.o.bility. The old swordmaster's expression turned slightly sour, but he nodded and James said, "William, I'm sure the Princess would love to see the tapestry gallery and Princess Anita's gardens."

As smoothly as an eel slipping through water, the Princess disengaged herself from James's arm and attached herself to William. "And what shall I call you, young knight?" asked the Princess.

"Will, Your Highness. My friends call me Will."

As William led the Princess off toward the tapestry hall, James indicated the food and wine to Prince Vladic, then Prince Kazamir. The Crown Prince took a goblet of wine and sipped it. "Very good," he said. "Darkmoor?"

James nodded. "I believe so. Most of our best wines come from there."

"You're not having any?"

James smiled. "I'm on duty."

Kazamir nodded. "I understand. By the way, you handled that very deftly. Not many young men would give up my sister's company so easily."

"I can well believe it," said James. "There's something about her . . ."

Vladic studied James a moment, again appraising him, and James could not help but feel again that he was being sized up as a possible opponent. Vladic said, "You're perceptive, squire. My cousin has a need to be admired by a great many men. She employs additional supplements to augment her natural appeal."

"Ah," said James. "Magic. A charm or a potion?"

"Her left hand. A ring purchased from a woman who dabbles in such trinkets in our homeland. I fear this need for male attention that drives Paulina will eventually create difficulties for her future husband."

"Then she should either marry a man with great skills as a swordsman, or one with great patience."

Vladic nodded, as he slipped his wine. He then took a small slice of melon from a platter and nibbled at it, his expression every so slightly indicating satisfaction with the fruit. "The court here in the west is a refreshing change from some of the environments we've discovered east of Salador."

James nodded. "I have no doubt. West of Malac's Cross things are very different. I've not spent much time in the east, but it is . . ."

"More civilized?" provided Kazamir.

James smiled. "I was about to say older, but if you prefer civilized, I'll concede the point."

Vladic smiled, and for the first time since they met James sensed the young man was letting his guard down a tiny bit. "Well, it's a function of perspective, I warrant. Our nations are very old, while this Western Realm is relatively young. In Olasko, we haven't seen an elf or goblin in centuries. There are six other states of some size between the far northern lands and Olasko."

"Elves are interesting," replied James. "And I've seen enough goblins to last me a lifetime."

"I hear they're not terribly bright, but that they make good hunting," ventured Kazamir.

"Well, if you're interested in hunting something that carries a sword or bow, I guess." James shrugged. "I'm city bred and have little experience with hunting. I don't understand the appeal of the sport."

"It livens up an otherwise dull life," said Vladic.

James grinned. "I've never found life to be dull, so I suppose that's why."

"You're a lucky man, then," said Kazamir. "We have our wars, often enough, but other than that, there's little to occupy a man who craves excitement."

Vladic said, "My cousin is like most of our n.o.bles, and seeks glory in overt fashion. But the skills of arms, the sword and bow, the challenge of the hunt, those are secondary in importance to that." He pointed to where Arutha was listening to something being whispered into his ear by one of the local n.o.bles. "He seeks office, or a suitable husband for a daughter or an ally against an enemy, or something from your monarch. Intrigue is a way of life in my father's court."

James laughed. "That's Squire Randolph of Silverstown. I think he's trying to convince the Prince to get one of his pesky neighbors to move his cattle off Silverstown's meadows."

Kazamir barked a rough sounding laugh. "A very small intrigue, then, cousin."

Vladic looked slightly nettled to be mocked so, but said nothing.

"Are you staying long in Krondor?" asked James.

Kazamir shrugged. "Father has planned this as a tour of the west, so I expect we'll stay a few days before moving on. He wishes to hunt the Trollhomes, where it is rumored great boars reside, as well as wild trolls and even, if true, dragons."

James could barely contain his amus.e.m.e.nt. "Having spied a dragon myself, may I suggest that only a madman would go looking for one?"

Kazamir's expression darkened. "A madman?"

James quickly spread his hands in an apologetic gesture. "A jest, and obviously a poor one. It is just that dragons are everything you've heard of and more. If you hunt one, take an army with you."

Kazamir's expression softened slightly, but James couldn't be certain the offense had been mitigated. He continued, "Even trolls are to be avoided unless you absolutely must face one. The lowland trolls may be barely more than wild animals, but they are more dangerous than any lion or bear you might hunt, for they are more cunning, and they hunt in groups of two or more. Their mountain kin have language and use weapons. You go hunting them, be a.s.sured they'll be hunting you right back."

"Interesting," was all that Vladic said. Then he added, "How is the hunting in this region?"

"Yes," said Kazamir with sudden interest. "Lions, perhaps?"

James shrugged. "If you go north, up into the foothills of the Calastius Mountains, you'll find a good population of game. Closer to the King's Highway it's scarce, but once you get high into the hills there's ample deer, elk, bear, and big leopards. Occasionally a wyvern comes down from the northern mountains and that's as much dragon as I'd be willing to face."

"If we stay for more than a few days, would you be able to arrange a trip into those mountains?" asked Vladic.

James nodded. "I'll speak to the housecarl; he can arrange with the huntmaster and swordmaster to provide guides and men-at-arms. You could travel out for a day and reach some very rough terrain, where game is still plentiful."

Vladic looked pleased, as did his cousin. "Good. I will speak with my uncle tomorrow and, depending on his plans, perhaps I will prevail upon him to depart the day after on such a journey."

Kazamir's smile broadened a bit. "I suspect, however, you'd better also contrive some distraction for my sister while we're gone."

James's frown brought forth a laugh from Kazamir. The squire said, "I think I will prevail upon Princess Anita to fashion that distraction. I suspect most of the young men in the court might be faced with some difficulties given the duty to attend your sister."

"Yet you felt no difficulty in turning her over to that young cadet," observed Kazamir in a guarded tone.

James leaned over and lowered his voice in a conspiratorial fashion. "Young Will lacks . . . experience. No matter how attractive your sister, she would have to initiate anything . . . beyond an awkward flirtation, I think. And if I'm any judge of such things, I doubt she will."

Kazamir slapped James on the shoulder and laughed. "You may be rural, James, but your grasp of certain subtleties is not. Yes, my sister is out seeking a well-connected husband. She will not lessen her chances of such by any idle dalliance. Her husband will expect her unsullied on their wedding night, and she will be. But she will make some young men very unhappy until that time comes."

Given James's background, his view of such issues was far less critical; he had known too many women while a boy, and as a man who enjoyed the pleasures of the bed, to think much of the notion that men had different standards from women. Still, he had met enough men, n.o.ble and common, who felt differently that he appreciated the prevalence of that att.i.tude.

"Given her use of. . . enhancements to her charms, doesn't this make things difficult back home?"

"Most men in Olasko are terrified of her father," said Vladic, putting down his now empty goblet of wine and refusing a refill by one of the servants. "In my homeland few would dare his wrath."

James shrugged and nodded his head in agreement. "Seems a wise course were I a citizen of your nation; the duke appears a most formidable man."

Kazamir's smile vanished. "As all would do well to note, James." James was certain that remark was more directed at Vladic than at himself. Then Kazamir's smile returned. "Still, it is tempting for men of my nation to pursue a prize like my sister."

James blinked in confusion. "Prize?"

"As I've mentioned, we are adventuresome, in Olasko. Hunting women ranks as high as hunting cave bears."

"An interesting way to put it," said James as neutrally as possible. "I think my friend Locklear would fit right in."

"He pursues women?"

"Incessantly," said James.

"Then I would suggest he be a well-practiced swordsman," offered Vladic.

"That he is, but why?"

Kazamir answered. "Because in my homeland a young man is expected to have as many women as he might, while it is also his duty to defend the honor of his sister with his blade should another man offend her."

James grinned. "So you have a lot of duels in Olasko."

Vladic returned the grin with a nod. "Constantly."

James said, "Fortunately, my friend Locklear is on his way north to serve along the border for quite some time. We will be spared the spectacle of you having to skewer him early one chilly morning. I prefer to sleep in, given the chance."

"As do I," said the Crown Prince. "Given the length of the journeys-" he glanced around the room "-and the unlikelihood that I have time until the end of the gala to meet a receptive woman of rank, I think I shall retire."

Kazamir glanced around the room, and then said, "I concur. I think a warm bed is more welcome than drink and dalliance tonight."

Instantly James motioned for a page and when the youth approached, he instructed him to escort Princes Vladic and Kazamir to the guest apartments. He bid them both good night and then returned to the dais.

The musicians played on. As soon as he was again at Arutha's side, James heard the Prince's voice under the music. "What do you think about this visit?"

James spoke in tones just loud enough for the Prince to hear. "I think it's odd. On the surface, it appears that the duke is looking for a suitable marriage of state for his daughter while indulging himself in some local hunting."

"On the surface," repeated Arutha, his gaze still on the dancers.

"As there are few sons of suitable rank in this part of the Kingdom-well, none over the age often, anyways-that reason barely holds up under scrutiny."

"What other reason do you imagine?"

"Well, the son says they want to hunt dragons and trolls out in the Trollhome, but I find that a bit difficult to fathom. We fought trolls near Romney just a few weeks ago, and I'm sure we left enough of them behind to entertain the duke and his companions for a lifetime. As for hunting dragons, even the dwarves don't go looking for them. They wait until they show up, then turn the entire community out to fight them. No, the duke may be crazy enough to really want to hunt dragons and trolls, but that's not his reason for coming west. I suspect the real reason for this journey will be found in Durbin."

"What could he want in Durbin? There are twenty major Keshian ports he could reach in the east."

James shrugged. "If we knew what it was he was seeking in Durbin, we would know why he's lying."

Arutha glanced over at James. "You suspect something." He turned his attention back toward the dance floor.

James nodded. "But nothing I can give voice to. Just a vague sense that this all ties together, these murders, the disappearance of citizens, the arrival of this outland n.o.ble."

"If you discover the whole of the parts, let me know."

James said, "You'll be the first."

"Did you sleep?"

"Earlier? Yes," said James, knowing what was coming next.

Arutha said, "Good, then you know what to do."

James nodded, bowed to the Prince, crossed to bow to the Princess, then removed himself from the hall. As he left, he signaled for a page to follow. The young man fell into step behind him.

James hurried toward the tapestry room and found it empty. He quickly moved on to the Princess's garden and found a very flushed William standing next to the Princess Paulina, obviously reduced to little more than a near babbling fool as the girl held tightly to his arm, chatting about the flowers.

"Ahem," said James.

The relief on William's face was abundantly clear as James bowed to the Princess. "Highness, this page will escort you to your quarters. Your father and brother have turned in for the night."

"But it's early," said the girl with a pout.

"If you prefer, he'll escort you back to the gala. But Cadet William's presence is required elsewhere." She seemed about to object, but James said, "By the Prince's orders."

She frowned, then forced herself to smile as she turned and said to William, "Thank you for being my guide. It is a pity things ended prematurely. Perhaps we'll have time to continue later during our visit?"

"M-mlady," William stuttered.

James was seized by a rush of desire as the girl pa.s.sed close to him while he bowed. As she retreated, the feeling faded.

James turned to find William blinking, obviously confused, and asked, "Are you all right, w.i.l.l.y?"

"I don't know," he replied, still blinking. "While we were together, I . . . I don't know how to explain what I felt. But now that she's gone . . ."

"Magic," said James.

"Magic?"

"She employs magic, according to her brother," said James. "To heighten her charms."

"I find that difficult to believe," said William.

"What an odd thing for someone raised on an island of magicians to say," observed James as William blushed. "Believe it." He put his hand on the young soldier's arm. "I've got to take care of some business for Arutha, and you look like you could use a drink."

"I think I could," said William, "but I have to return to the Cadets' Quarters."

"Not if you come with me," said James.