Arutha laughed, suddenly understanding the course of negotiations. "Twenty thousand golden sovereigns.

"Done! The Upright Man is fond of Jimmy; though he has other b.a.s.t.a.r.ds around. Jimmy is special. The Upright Man wishes Jimmy to remain ignorant of the relationship, but he will be pleased to think his son shall have a brighter future for this night's negotiations."

"He will be placed within my service, without knowing who his father is. Shall we meet again?"

"I think not. Prince of Krondor. The Upright Man guards his ident.i.ty jealously, and even to come close to one who speaks with his voice brings him dangers. But we will carry clear messages to you when we know where hide the Night-hawks. And we will welcome news of their obliteration."

Jimmy sat nervously. For over three hours Arutha had been closeted with Gardan, Volney, and Laurie, as well as other members of his privy staff. Jimmy had been invited to remain in a room set aside for his use. The presence of two guards at the door and two more below the balcony outside his window gave ample support to the notion that he was, for whatever reason, a prisoner. Jimmy had little doubt he could leave undetected during the night if he had been in fit condition, but after the events of the last few days he felt abused. Also, he was at something of a loss to understand being returned to the palace with the Prince. The boy thief was uneasy. Something in his life had changed and he wasn't sure what, or why.

The door to the room opened and a guard servant stuck his head in, waving to Jimmy to come. "His Highness wants you, boy." Jimmy quickly followed the soldier down the hall to the long pa.s.sage to the council chambers.

Arutha looked up from reading something. About the table sat Gardan, Laurie, and some other men Jimmy didn't know, while Earl Volney stood near the door. "Jimmy, I have something for you here." Jimmy simply looked around the room, not knowing what to say. Arutha said, "This is a royal patent naming you Squire to the Prince's court."

Jimmy was speechless, his eyes wade. Laurie chuckled at his reaction, while Gardan grinned. Finally Jimmy found his voice. "This is a jest, right?" When Arutha shook his head, the boy said, "But . . . me, a squire?"

Arutha replied, "You have saved my life and you are to be rewarded."

Jimmy said, "But, Highness, I . . . thank you, but . . . there's the matter of my oath to the Mockers."

Arutha leaned forward. "That matter has been disposed of, Squire. You are no longer a member of the Guild of Thieves. The Upright Man has agreed. It is done. "

Jimmy felt trapped. He had never taken much pleasure in being a thief, but he had taken great pleasure in being a very good thief. What appealed to him was the chance to prove himself at every turn, to show all that Jimmy the Hand was the best thief in the guild . . . or at least would be someday. But now he was to be bound to the Prince's household, and with the office came duties. And if the Upright Man had agreed, Jimmy was forever denied access to the society of the streets.

Seeing the boy's lack of enthusiasm, Laurie said, "May I, Highness?"

Arutha permitted, and the singer came over to place a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Jimmy, His Highness is simply keeping your head above water, literally. He had to bargain for your life. If he had not, you'd be floating in the harbor this hour. The Upright Man knew you'd broken oath with the guild."

Jimmy visibly sagged and Laurie squeezed his shoulder rea.s.suringly. The boy had always thought himself somehow above the rules, free of the responsibilities that bound others. Jimmy had never known why he had been granted special consideration so many times, while others were forced to pay their way, but now he knew that he had stretched privilege too far once too often. There was no doubt in the boy's mind that the singer told the truth, and conflicting emotions surged up within as he considered how close to being murdered he had come.

Laurie said, "Palace life isn't so bad. The building's warm, your clothing'll be clean, and there's ample food. Besides, there'll be plenty to hold your interest." He looked at Arutha and added dryly, "Especially of late."

Jimmy nodded and Laurie led him around the table. Jimmy was instructed to kneel. The Earl quickly read the patent. "To all within our demesne: Whereas the youth Jimmy, an orphan of the city of Krondor, has rendered worthy service in preventing injury to the royal person of the Prince of Krondor; and: Whereas the youth Jimmy is considered to hold us forever in his debt; It is my wish that he be known to all in the realm as our beloved and royal servant, and it is furthermore wished that he be given a place in the court of Krondor, with the rank of Squire, with all rights and privileges pertaining thereunto. Furthermore let it be known that the t.i.tle to the estate of Haverford on the River Welandel is conferred upon him and his progeny as long as they shall live, to have and to hold, with servants and properties thereupon. t.i.tle to this estate shall be held by the crown until the day of his majority. Set this day by my hand and seal, Arutha conDoin, Prince of Krondor; Knight-Marshal of the Western Realm and of the King's Armies of the West, Heir Apparent to the throne of Rillanon." Volney looked at Jimmy. "Do you accept this charge?"

Jimmy said, "Yes." Volney rolled up the parchment and handed it to the boy. That, apparently, was all that was needed to turn a thief into a squire.

The boy didn't know where Haverford on the River Welandel was, but land meant income, and immediately he brightened. As he stepped away, he studied Arutha, who was obviously preoccupied. Chance had twice thrown them together, and twice Arutha had proved the only person who hadn't wanted anything from him. Even his few friends among the Mockers had tried to gain advantage over the boy at least once until he had shown that to be a difficult task. Jimmy found his relationship with Arutha a novel one. As Arutha read some papers silently, Jimmy decided that if fate was again taking a hand, he d just as soon stay with the Prince and his lively bunch as go anywhere else he could think of. Besides, he would have income and comfort as long as Arutha lived, though this, he thought somberly, might prove a bit of a problem.

While Jimmy glanced at his patent, Arutha in turn studied him. He was a street boy: tough, resilient, resourceful, and occasionally ruthless. Arutha smiled to himself. He'd get along just fine in court.

Jimmy rolled up the paper as Arutha said, "Your former master works with alacrity." To the entire group he said, "Here I have his word that he has nearly uncovered the nest of the Nighthawks. He states he will send a message at any moment, and he regrets he must withhold any direct aid in stamping them out. Jimmy, what do you think of this?"

Jimmy grinned. "The Upright Man knows how to play. Should you destroy the Nighthawks, business returns to normal. Should you fail, there is no suspicion he took a hand in your attempt. He cannot lose." In more serious tones he added, "He also worries about additional infiltration of the Mockers. Should that be the case, any Mocker partic.i.p.ation places the raid in jeopardy."

Arutha took the boy's meaning. "It is come to that serious a pa.s.s?"

"Most likely, Highness. There are no more than three or four men with access to the Upright Man himself. These are the only ones he can fully trust. I would guess he has a few agents of his own outside the guild, unknown to any but his most trusted aides, perhaps not even to them. He must be using these to ferret out the Nighthawks. There are over two hundred Mockers and twice that number of beggars and urchins, any of whom could be eyes and ears for the Guild of Death "

Arutha smiled his crooked smile. Volney said, "You have wits, Squire James. You should prove a boon to His Highness's court."

Jimmy looked as if something tasted bad as he muttered, "Squire James?"

Arutha seemed unaware of Jimmy's sour tone. "We could all do with some rest. Until we hear from the Upright Man, the best we can do is recover from the rigors of the last few days." He rose. "I bid you all good night."

Arutha quickly left the chamber and Volney gathered up the papers from the conference table and hurried along on his own errands Laurie said to Jimmy, "Well, I'd better take you in tow, youngster. Someone should teach you a thing or two about quality folk."

Gardan came over to them. "Then the boy is as good as d.a.m.ned forever to be an embarra.s.sment to the Prince."

Laurie sighed. "It just shows you," he rejoined to Jimmy, "you can put a badge of rank on the man, but once a barracks sweeper, always a barracks sweeper."

"Barracks sweeper!" snapped Gardan, mock outrage on his dark face. "Singer, I'll have you know I come from a long line of heroes . . ."

Jimmy sighed in resignation as he followed the two bickering men from the hall. On the whole, life had been simpler a week ago. He tried to put on a brighter expression, but at best he resembled a cat who had fallen into a barrel of cream, unsure of whether to lap it up or swim for his life.

FIVE - Obliteration

Arutha studied the old thief.

The Upright Man's messenger had waited while the Prince read the missive. Now the Prince's eyes were upon him. "Know you the contents of this?"

"To the specifics, no He who gave it to me was explicit in instructions. The old thief, now robbed of his ability by age, rubbed absently at his bald pate as he stood before Arutha. "He said to tell you the boy could bring you easily to the place named within, Your Highness. He also said to tell you that word has been pa.s.sed regarding the boy, and the Mockers consider the matter at a close." The man cast a brief glance at Jimmy and winked. Jimmy, who was standing off to one side, breathed a silent sigh of relief at hearing that. The wink told him that while Jimmy would never be a Mocker again, he at least was not denied the streets of the city and that old Alvarny the Quick was still a friend. Arutha said, "Tell your master I am pleased with this swift resolution. Tell him we shall have an end to this matter tonight. He will understand."

Arutha waved for a guard to escort Alvarny from the hall and turned to Gardan. "Select a company of your most trusted men and any Pathfinders still in the garrison. Any who are new to our service shall be pa.s.sed over. By word of mouth, tell each to muster at the postern gate, beginning at sundown. By ones and twos I want them sent into the city, using varied routes and with sharp eyes for signs they are being followed. Let them wander and dine, as if they were off duty, though any drinking should be only sham. By midnight they are all to gather at the Rainbow Parrot." Gardan saluted and left.

When Arutha and the boy were alone, the Prince said, "You must think I've dealt harshly with you."

Jimmy's face showed his surprise. "No, Highness. I thought it a bit strange, is all. If anything, I owe you my life."

"I worried you'd resent being taken from the only family you knew." Jimmy shrugged off the remark. "And as for owing a life . . ." He leaned back, finger against his cheek as he smiled. "We are even, Squire James, for had you not acted quickly the other night I'd be shorter by a head."

They both smiled at that. Jimmy said, "If we're even, why the office?"

Arutha remembered his pledge to the Upright Man. "Count it a means of keeping an eye upon you. You are free to come and go, as long as you discharge your duties as a squire, but should I find the gold cups missing from the pantry, I'll personally drag you down to the dungeon." Jimmy again laughed, but Arutha's voice took on a more somber tone. "Also, there's the matter of someone's foiling an a.s.sa.s.sin upon the roof of a certain fuller's house earlier this week. And you've never said why you chose to come to me with news of that Nighthawk rather than report it as you were warranted to do."

Jimmy looked at Arutha, his gaze older by years than his boyish face. Finally he said, "The night you escaped from Krondor with the Princess, I got caught with a full company of Black Guy's hors.e.m.e.n on the docks between me and freedom. You threw me your sword before you knew you'd be safely away. And when we were closeted in the safe house, you taught me swordplay. You were always as fairly spoken to me as you were to any other." He paused for a moment. "You treated me like a friend. I've . . . I've had few friends, Highness."

Arutha indicated understanding. "I also count few as true friends-my family, the magicians Pug and Kulgan, Father Tully, and Gardan." His expression turned wry. "Laurie has shown himself more than a simple courtier and I think he may prove a friend. I'll even go so far as to name that pirate Amos Task a true friend. Now, if Amos can be the friend of the Prince of Krondor, why not Jimmy the Hand?"

Jimmy grinned and there was a hint of moisture in his eyes. "Why not indeed?" He swallowed hard and raised his mask again. "Whatever happened to Amos?"

Arutha sat back. "The last I saw of him, he was stealing the King's ship." Jimmy guffawed. "We've not had word of him since. I'd give much to have that cutthroat by my side this night."

Jimmy lost his smile. "I hate to bring this up, but what if we run into another of those d.a.m.n things that won't die?"

"Nathan thinks it unlikely. He thinks it happened only because the priestess called that thing back. Besides, I can't wait upon the temples' pleasure to act. Only that death priest, Julian, has offered to help."

"And we've seen how much help those who serve Lims-Kragma can provide," Jimmy added dryly. "Let's hope Father Nathan knows of what he speaks."

Arutha rose. "Come, let's get what rest we may, for the night should provide b.l.o.o.d.y work. "

Throughout the night bands of soldiers, dressed in the common garb of mercenaries, had been wending their way through the streets of Krondor, pa.s.sing one another without a flicker of acknowledgment, until at three hours after midnight over a hundred men were in the Rainbow Parrot. Several were dispensing uniform tabards from large sacks, so the soldiers would again be in the Prince's colors during the raid.

Jimmy entered in the company of two men dressed in simple foresters' garb, members of Arutha's elite company of army scouts, the Royal Pathfinders. The senior Pathfinder saluted. "This youngster has the eyes of a cat. Highness. He spotted our men being followed to the inn three times."

When Arutha looked at them questioningly, Jimmy said, "Two of them were beggars known to me, and they were easy to intercept and chase off, but the third . . . It may have been he simply followed to see if something was up. Anyway, when we blocked his way down a street-subtly, you may be sure-he simply moved off in another direction. It could have been nothing. "

"It also could have been something," Arutha said. "Still, there is nothing more we can do. Even if the Nighthawks know we are doing something, they will not know what. Look you here," he said to Jimmy, pointing to a map on a table before him. "This was given me by the royal architect. It is old, but he thinks it a fair accounting of the sewers."

Jimmy studied it for a moment. "Perhaps a score of years ago it was." He pointed to one spot on the map and another. "Here there's been a collapse of a wall, and while the sewage still flows, the pa.s.sage is too narrow for a man. And here there is a new tunnel, dug by a tanner requiring a more rapid disposal of his waste." Jimmy studied the map a bit longer, then said, "Is there a quill and ink, or charcoal?" A piece of charcoal was forthcoming and Jimmy made marks upon the map. "Friend Lucas has a slip-me-out to the sewers in his bas.e.m.e.nt."

Behind the bar the old owner's mouth dropped at hearing that piece of news. "What? How'd you know?"

Jimmy grinned. "The rooftops aren't the only Thieves' Highway. From here"-he pointed at the map-"companies of men can move to these two points. The exits from the bas.e.m.e.nt of the Nighthawks' stronghold are cleverly located. Each comes out in a tunnel not directly connected with the others. The doors may be only scant yards apart, but it's yards of solid walls of brick and stone, with miles of twisting sewers to travel, to gain one from the next. It would take an hour to find your way from one exit to another. It's this third one that's the problem. It empties out near a large landing with a dozen tunnels to flee down, too many to block."

Gardan, who was looking over the boy's shoulder, said, "Which means a coordinated a.s.sault. Jimmy, can you hear if someone is breaking in one of the doors and you're at the other?"

Jimmy said, "I should think. If you slip someone to the top of the stairs, for certain. Especially this time of night. You'd be surprised how many little noises filter down the streets during the day, but at night . . ."

Arutha said to the two Pathfinders, "Can you find these locations from this map?" Each nodded. "Good. Each of you will guide a third of the men to one of these two entrances. The other third will come with Gardan and myself. Jimmy will guide us. You will position men but not enter the bas.e.m.e.nt of that building unless you are discovered first or you hear our party a.s.saulting those within. Then come with all speed. Gardan, those on the streets should be in position. They have their orders?"

Gardan said, "Each has been instructed. At first hint of trouble, no one is allowed to leave that building unless he wears your tabard and is known by sight. I have thirty archers in place on the rooftops on all sides to discourage any seeking quick exit. A herald with a trumpet will sound alarm and two companies of hors.e.m.e.n will exit the palace at the bugle. They will reach us within five minutes. Any in the streets not of our company will be ridden down, that is the order."

Arutha quickly put on a tabard and tossed one each to Jimmy and Laurie. When all were wearing the Prince's purple and black, Arutha said, "It is time." The Pathfinders led the first two groups into the cellar below the inn. Then it was time for Jimmy to lead the Prince's group. He took them to the slip-me-out behind a false cask in the wall and led them down the narrow stairs to the sewers. The stench caused a few soldiers to gasp and utter soft oaths, but a single word from Gardan restored order to the ranks. Several shuttered lanterns were lit. Jimmy motioned for a single line to be formed, and led the Prince's raiders off toward the Merchants' Quarter of the city.

After nearly a half hour walking, past slowly moving channels carrying waste and garbage toward the harbor, they found themselves approaching the large landing. Arutha ordered the lanterns shuttered. Jimmy went forward. Arutha tried to follow his movements but was astonished as the darkness seemed to swallow him up. Arutha strained to hear him, but Jimmy was noiseless. For the waiting soldiers, the strangest thing about the sewers was the stillness, broken only by the sound of slow water lapping. Each soldier had taken care to m.u.f.fle all armor and weapons, so should there be a Nighthawk lookout he wouldn't be alerted.

Jimmy returned after a moment and signaled that a single guard stood at the bottom of the stairs to the building. With his mouth near Arutha's ear he whispered, "You'll never get one of your men close enough before the guard gives alarm. I'm the only one who stands a chance. Just come running when you hear the scuffle begin."

Jimmy pulled his dirk out of his boot and slipped away. Suddenly there was a painful grunt and Arutha and his men were off, all thoughts of silence discarded. The Prince was the first to reach the boy, who struggled with a powerful guard. The youth had come up behind the man and had leaped and grabbed him around the throat, but had only wounded him with the dirk, which now lay upon the stones. The man was nearly blue from being choked, but had tried to smash Jimmy against the wall. Arutha ended the struggle with a single thrust of his blade and the man slipped silently to the stones. Jimmy let go and smiled weakly. He had taken a terrible battering. Arutha whispered, "Stay here," to him, then signaled his men to follow.

Ignoring his promise to Volney to wait behind while Gardan led the a.s.sault, Arutha silently hurried up the stairs. He halted before a wooden door with a single sliding latch, placed his ear next to it, and listened. m.u.f.fled voices from the other side caused him to raise his hand in warning. Gardan and the others slowed their approach.

Arutha quietly moved the door's latch and pushed gently. He peeked into a large, well-lit bas.e.m.e.nt. Sitting around three tables were about a dozen armed men. Several were tending weapons and armor. The scene was more reminiscent of a soldiers' commons than a bas.e.m.e.nt. What Arutha found more incredible was that this bas.e.m.e.nt was located below the most richly appointed and successful brothel in the city, the House of Willows, one frequented by most of the rich merchants and no small portion of the minor n.o.bility of Krondor.

Arutha could well understand how the Nighthawks could gain access to so much information about the palace and his own comings and goings. Many a courtier would boast of his knowledge of some "secret" or other to impress his wh.o.r.e. It would not have taken more than a chance mention from someone in the palace that Gardan had planned to ride out to the east gate to meet the Prince for the a.s.sa.s.sin to know Arutha's route that night earlier in the week.

Abruptly a figure entered Arutha's view that made the Prince catch his breath. A moredhel warrior approached a man who sat oiling a broadsword and spoke quietly to him. The man nodded while the Dark Brother continued his discourse. Then suddenly he spun. He pointed directly toward the door and opened his mouth to speak. Arutha didn't hesitate. He shouted, "Now!" and charged into the room.

The bas.e.m.e.nt erupted into a riot of action. Those who had moments before been sitting idly by now grabbed up weapons and answered the a.s.sault. Others bolted out doors leading up to the brothel or down to other parts of the sewers. From above, screams and shouts told of customers alarmed by the fleeing a.s.sa.s.sins. Those who attempted to leave via the exits to the sewers were quickly pushed back up the stairs into the cellar by the other units of Arutha's invading force.

Arutha ducked a blow by the moredhel warrior and leaped to the left as soldiers fought their way into the center of the room, separating the Prince from the Dark Brother. The few a.s.sa.s.sins who stood their ground charged into Arutha's men with complete disregard for their own lives, forcing the soldiers to kill them. The sole exception was the moredhel, who seemed to be in a frenzy trying to reach Arutha. Arutha shouted, "Take him alive!"

The moredhel was soon the only Nighthawk standing in the room, and he was forced back to the wall and held. Arutha came up to him. The dark elf locked gazes with the Prince, naked hatred upon his face. He allowed himself to be disarmed as Arutha put up his own sword. Arutha had never been this close to a living moredhel before. There was no doubt they were elven kin, though elves tended to be fairer of hair and eyes. As Martin had remarked more than once, the moredhel were a handsome race, if one dark of soul. Then, as one soldier bent to examine the moredhel's boot top for weapons, the creature kneed the guard in the face, pushed away the other, and leaped at Arutha. Arutha had barely an instant to duck away from hands outstretched for his face. He moved to his left and saw the moredhel stiffen as Laurie's blade took him in the chest. The moredhel collapsed to the floor, but with a final spasm tried to reach out and claw at Arutha's leg. Laurie kicked the creature's hands, deflecting the weak clawing motion. "Look well at the nails. I saw them gleam as he let himself be disarmed," said the singer.

Arutha grabbed a wrist and inspected the moredhel's hand closely "Careful how you handle it," warned Laurie. Arutha saw tiny needles embedded in the Dark Brother's nails, each with a dark stain at the end. Laurie said, "It's an old wh.o.r.e's trick, though only those with some gold and a friendly chirurgeon can get it done. If a man tries to leave without paying or is given to beating his wh.o.r.es, a simple scratch and the man is no longer a problem."

Arutha looked at the singer. "You have my debt."

"Banath preserve us!"

Arutha and Gardan turned to see that Jimmy had crossed to a fallen man, fair and well dressed. He was staring at the dead a.s.sa.s.sin. "Golden," he said softly.

"You knew this man?" asked Arutha.

"He was a Mocker," said Jimmy. "In my life I would not have suspected him."

Is there not a one left alive?" demanded the Prince. He was in a fury, for his orders had been to capture as many as possible.

Gardan, who had been taking reports from his men, said, "Highness, there were full thirty and five a.s.sa.s.sins in this bas.e.m.e.nt and the rooms above. All either fought so our men had no choice but to kill or turned and slew one another, then threw themselves upon their own weapons." Gardan held out something to the Prince. "They all wore these, Highness." In his hand was an ebony hawk on a gold chain.

Then there was an abrupt silence, not as if the men had stopped their movements, but rather as if something had been heard and all had instantly halted to listen, yet there was no sound. An odd dampening of sound occurred, as if a heavy, oppressive presence had entered the room, and an eerieness descended upon Arutha and his men for a brief moment. Then a chill fell over the room. Arutha felt his neck hair rise, as some primordial dread filled him. Something alien had entered the room, an unseen but palpable evil. As Arutha turned to say something to Gardan and the others, a soldier shouted, "Highness, I think this one is alive. He moved!" He sounded eager to please his Prince. Then a second soldier said, "This one, too!" Arutha saw the two soldiers lean over the fallen a.s.sa.s.sins.

All in the bas.e.m.e.nt gasped in horror as one of the corpses moved, his hand shooting upward to seize the kneeling soldier by the throat. The corpse sat up, forcing the soldier upward. The terrible wet cracking sound of the soldiers throat being crushed echoed in the room. The other corpse sprang upward, sinking his teeth in the neck of the second guard, ripping open his throat while Arutha and his men were rooted in shocked silence. The first dead a.s.sa.s.sin tossed away the choking soldier and turned. Fixing milk-white eyes upon the Prince, the dead man smiled. As if from a great distance, a voice sounded from the grinning maw. "Again we meet, Lord of the West. Now shall my servants have you, for you have not brought your meddling priests. Rise! Rise, O my children! Rise, and kill!"

Around the room the corpses began to twitch and move and soldiers gasped and offered prayers to t.i.th, the soldiers' G.o.d. One, thinking quickly, hacked the head off the second corpse as it started to rise. The headless corpse shuddered and fell, but began to rise once more while the rolling head mouthed silent curses. Like grotesque marionettes manipulated by a demented puppeteer, the bodies rose, in jerks and spasms. Jimmy, his voice almost quavering, said, "I think we should have waited on the temples' pleasure."

Gardan shouted, "Protect the Prince!" and men leaped at the animated corpses. Like crazed butchers in a cattle pen, soldiers began madly chopping in all directions. Gore spattered the walls and all who stood in the room, but the bodies continued to rise.

Soldiers slipped in the blood and found themselves overwhelmed by cold, slimy hands that gripped arms and legs. Some managed throttled cries as dead fingers closed around their throats or teeth bit hard into their flesh.

Soldiers of the Prince of Krondor hacked and slashed, sending limbs flying through the air, but the hands and arms only flopped madly about the floor like bleeding fish out of water. Arutha felt a tugging at his leg and looked down to see a severed hand gripping at his ankle. A frantic kick sent the hand flying across the room to strike the opposite wall.

Arutha shouted, "Get out and hold closed those doors!" Soldiers swore as they cut and kicked their way through the blood and pulped flesh before them. Many of the soldiers, hardened veterans, were coming close to panic. Nothing in their experience had prepared them for the horror they faced in that bas.e.m.e.nt. Each time a body was knocked down, it would but try to rise once more. And each time a comrade fell, he stayed down.

Arutha led the way toward the door leading upstairs, the closest exit. Jimmy and Laurie followed. Arutha paused to cut apart another rising corpse and Jimmy dashed past the Prince. Jimmy reached the door first and swore as he looked up. Stumbling down the stairs toward them came the corpse of a beautiful woman, wearing a diaphanous gown, torn half way, with a spreading bloodstain at the waist. Her blank white eyes fastened on Arutha at the bottom of the stairs and she shrieked in delight. Jimmy ducked under a clumsy slash and drove his shoulder into her b.l.o.o.d.y stomach, shouting, "Ware the stairs!" They both went down and he was first to his feet, scrambling past her.

Arutha looked back into the bas.e.m.e.nt and saw his men being pulled down. Gardan and several other soldiers had reached the safety of the far doors and were attempting to close them, while stragglers who were frantically attempting to reach them were being pulled down. A few valiant men were pulling closed the doors from inside, ignoring a sure sentence of death. The floor was a sea of gore, wet and treacherous, and many soldiers slipped and fell, never to rise again. Detached body parts seemed somehow to gather together and corpses would stand once more. Remembering the creature in the palace and how it had gained in strength as time pa.s.sed, Arutha shouted, "Bar the doors!"

Laurie leaped up the stairs and struck at the grinning wh.o.r.e, once more on her feet. Her blond head rolled past Arutha as he raced up the stairs after Jimmy and the singer.

Reaching the ground floor of the House of Willows, Arutha and his companions were greeted with the sight of soldiers struggling with more animated corpses. The horse companies had arrived, cleared the streets, and entered the building. But they, like those below, were unprepared to fight dead opponents. Outside the main door several bodies, impaled with dozens of arrows, were trying to rise. Each time one would gain its feet, a flight of bowshafts would strike it from the dark, knocking it over again.

Jimmy glanced around the room and made a leap atop a table. With an acrobat's spring, he jumped high over a guard being strangled by a dead Nighthawk and grabbed at a wall covering. The tapestry held his weight for a moment, then the room filled with a loud tearing sound as it ripped free of its fastenings high overhead. Yards of fine cloth fell about Jimmy, and he quickly disentangled himself. He grabbed up as much cloth as he could and dragged the tapestry to the large fireplace in the main room of the brothel. He dumped it in the fireplace and then started overturning anything that would burn onto it. Within minutes flames were spreading out into the room.

Arutha shoved away a corpse and yanked down another tapestry, which he tossed to Laurie. The singer ducked as a dead a.s.sa.s.sin lunged at him, and tangled the corpse in the fabric. Quickly spinning the dead creature, Laurie wrapped it in cloth and with a kick sent it stumbling toward Jimmy. Jimmy leaped aside and let the cloth-bound thing stumble into the rapidly spreading flames, tripping it as it went past. The dead man fell into the flames and began shrieking in rage.