spent the week lying low as Kaspar had suggested, avoiding public places for the most part. It hardly mattered anyway, for the invitations from Roldem’s elite had stopped immediately after his humiliation of Prince Matthew. Tal assumed Kaspar had sent out word that Tal was now under his protection, for there had been no attempt at reprisal, at least none that Tal and Amafi could see.
Tal hurried up on deck as the ship approached the breakwater outside the harbor. If Roldem had been breathtaking the first time Tal had seen it from a ship, Ril-
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lanon was astonishing. The closer they got, the more stunning the vista became. For not only was the city constructed of polished marble and granite, it was trimmed in all manner of ways: there were flower trellises, hillside gardens, colorful pennants and banners, and windows of quartz and glass. The late-afternoon sun set the stones ablaze with reflected gold, amber, rose, and white highlights.
“Amazing,” said Amafi.
“Yes,” said the Duke. “I always try to arrive before sunset, just to see this.”
A royal cutter flying the banner of the Kingdom of the Isles was on an outward tack, and dipped its pennant in salute to the Duke of Olasko. Sailors on both ships waved greetings, and Tal was rendered almost mute by the grandeur around him. Ships from every nation on the Sea of Kingdoms were at anchor or sailing in or out of the harbor. He saw Keshian traders, ships from the Eastern Kingdom, and cargo haulers from every point in the known world.
Sails were reefed, and The Dolphin slowed as the captain allowed a smaller boat to come alongside. A rope ladder was dropped and up it scampered the Harbor Pilot, who quickly made his way to the quarterdeck. He took control of the ship: from that point on, it was his job to sail the ship into the royal docks.
Tal tried to drink in every sight before him. He remembered his first view of Latagore, then Krondor, Salador, and Roldem. Each had offered new impressions and new sensations, but Rillanon eclipsed them all.
The ship’s last sails were reefed, and the ship drifted comfortably into the designated slip, where dockmen waited with long poles to hold off the ship while fenders were dropped alongside the quay. Then the fore and aft _______________
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lines were thrown ashore, and before Tal knew it, the ship was secured.
Lady Natalia came up from her quarters, her servants behind her, and flashed a brilliant smile at Tal. “We’re here, I take it.”
“Yes, m’lady,” said Tal with a grin. “We most assuredly are.”
Natalia’s smile remained in place, but her eyes darted around, as if wary. Then she focused on Tal. “We must be sure to be on our best behavior, Squire.”
Tal nodded. It was an unnecessary warning. He knew he was being evaluated every minute between Roldem and their eventual destination of Opardum. His humiliation of Matthew was so untypical of him that suspicion was directed at him even by the Duke’s sister. Their night of passion seemed entirely forgotten, and Tal thought better of mentioning anything to her that might be per-ceived as an overture. In this situation, he decided, it was better to let the lady take any lead.
Duke Kaspar was the first to depart, followed by his sister, then the other members of his entourage. Tal followed, since his status as a member of Kaspar’s court had not been yet formalized. Then came Amafi and the other servants.
Carriages awaited, each bearing the royal crest of the Kingdom of the Isles, a golden lion rampant on a field of crimson holding a sword aloft, a crown hovering over its head. Liveried coachmen waited. Kaspar and his sister entered the first, most ornate carriage, and the rest of the Duke’s retinue followed. The coach Tal entered with Amafi behind him was serviceable and clean, but far from luxurious.
Tal half hung out the window as the carriage wended its way through the streets of the city,
Tal hurried up on deck as the ship approached the breakwater outside the harbor. If Roldem had been breathtaking the first time Tal had seen it from a ship, Ril-
_______________
KING OF FOXES
89
lanon was astonishing. The closer they got, the more stunning the vista became. For not only was the city constructed of polished marble and granite, it was trimmed in all manner of ways: there were flower trellises, hillside gardens, colorful pennants and banners, and windows of quartz and glass. The late-afternoon sun set the stones ablaze with reflected gold, amber, rose, and white highlights.
“Amazing,” said Amafi.
“Yes,” said the Duke. “I always try to arrive before sunset, just to see this.”
A royal cutter flying the banner of the Kingdom of the Isles was on an outward tack, and dipped its pennant in salute to the Duke of Olasko. Sailors on both ships waved greetings, and Tal was rendered almost mute by the grandeur around him. Ships from every nation on the Sea of Kingdoms were at anchor or sailing in or out of the harbor. He saw Keshian traders, ships from the Eastern Kingdom, and cargo haulers from every point in the known world.
Sails were reefed, and The Dolphin slowed as the captain allowed a smaller boat to come alongside. A rope ladder was dropped and up it scampered the Harbor Pilot, who quickly made his way to the quarterdeck. He took control of the ship: from that point on, it was his job to sail the ship into the royal docks.
Tal tried to drink in every sight before him. He remembered his first view of Latagore, then Krondor, Salador, and Roldem. Each had offered new impressions and new sensations, but Rillanon eclipsed them all.
The ship’s last sails were reefed, and the ship drifted comfortably into the designated slip, where dockmen waited with long poles to hold off the ship while fenders were dropped alongside the quay. Then the fore and aft _______________
90
RAYMOND E. FEIST
lines were thrown ashore, and before Tal knew it, the ship was secured.
Lady Natalia came up from her quarters, her servants behind her, and flashed a brilliant smile at Tal. “We’re here, I take it.”
“Yes, m’lady,” said Tal with a grin. “We most assuredly are.”
Natalia’s smile remained in place, but her eyes darted around, as if wary. Then she focused on Tal. “We must be sure to be on our best behavior, Squire.”
Tal nodded. It was an unnecessary warning. He knew he was being evaluated every minute between Roldem and their eventual destination of Opardum. His humiliation of Matthew was so untypical of him that suspicion was directed at him even by the Duke’s sister. Their night of passion seemed entirely forgotten, and Tal thought better of mentioning anything to her that might be per-ceived as an overture. In this situation, he decided, it was better to let the lady take any lead.
Duke Kaspar was the first to depart, followed by his sister, then the other members of his entourage. Tal followed, since his status as a member of Kaspar’s court had not been yet formalized. Then came Amafi and the other servants.
Carriages awaited, each bearing the royal crest of the Kingdom of the Isles, a golden lion rampant on a field of crimson holding a sword aloft, a crown hovering over its head. Liveried coachmen waited. Kaspar and his sister entered the first, most ornate carriage, and the rest of the Duke’s retinue followed. The coach Tal entered with Amafi behind him was serviceable and clean, but far from luxurious.
Tal half hung out the window as the carriage wended its way through the streets of the city,
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