Rise of a Merchant Prince by Raymond E. Feist Page B

of riders entering the inn’s courtyard cut short Erik’s reply. They left the forge and rounded the barn, entering the courtyard just as the Baron’s five guardsmen were getting ready to dismount.
    Erik recognized the leader, the corporal they had encountered two days before. “You,” he said, pointing to Roo and Erik. “The Baron wants a word with you two.”
    Roo rolled his eyes heavenward, patting his tunic pocket to ensure he still carried his royal pardon. “Can’t this wait?”
    â€œNo! But I’ll give you a choice: ride your own horse or I’ll be happy to drag you behind him.”
    Roo said, “I’ll get my horse.”
    A few minutes later, Roo and Erik were mounted and rode past the squad. The corporal said, “Wait a minute! Where do you think you’re going?”
    They slowed to let the corporal overtake him, then Erik said, “You came cantering in, yet your horses are barely winded and none of them are sweating. So you rode less than a mile to fetch us. Manfred’s camped in the old sheep meadow at the edge of town.”
    The corporal looked astonished, but before he could speak, Erik put heels to his horse’s barrel and was off at a canter, Roo a second behind. The squad followed suit, and soon the seven of them were hurrying through the town.
    A few minutes later they passed through the buildings at the east edge of town, and as Erik had predicted, they found Manfred’s field tent erected inthe old sheep meadow where the King’s Highway intersected the road south.
    Erik dismounted and tossed the reins to a guardsman standing near the entrance of the tent. As the five riders came up alongside, Erik regarded the corporal. “What’s your name?” asked Erik.
    â€œAlfred,” said the corporal. “Why?”
    Erik smiled. “I just wanted to know. Watch the horse.” Roo and Erik moved to the tent and one of the soldiers there drew aside the flap.
    Sitting inside was Erik’s half brother Manfred. “I must confess, I never thought I’d see you two again,” said the Baron, indicating they should sit, “considering the circumstances of our last meeting.”
    â€œAt the time, I thought the same,” answered Erik. Roo studied the half brothers. Manfred looked nothing like Erik. Erik was the mocking likeness of their father, the very fact of which had driven Manfred’s mother to demand Erik’s death over the murder of Stefan, her elder son. Manfred was his mother’s son. He was dark, intense, and handsome in a nervous way. He wore a neatly trimmed beard, a new affectation, and Roo thought it a little silly, though he kept that opinion to himself.
    â€œMy lord the Duke of Salador, who as you may know is the King’s cousin, has ordered me to send a squad of men to Krondor, for special duty. No details of why or for how long are forthcoming. Do you know something about this?”
    Erik nodded. “Something.”
    â€œWill you tell me?”
    â€œI cannot.”
    â€œCannot or will not?”
    â€œBoth,” said Erik. “I am the Prince’s man andobey his injunctions against speaking before I’m bidden.”
    â€œWell, if you have no objections, I’d like them to return to Krondor with you and your friend.”
    Erik sat back. “An escort?”
    Manfred smiled, and in that one expression there was a hint of the man who sired them both. “In a manner of speaking. As you are the Prince’s man in this, I’ll place them under your command. Being the dutiful soldier you are, I have no doubt you’ll hurry to bring them safely to our most noble Prince as quickly as possible.”
    Erik leaned forward. “If I could tell you, Manfred, I would. You will never know how much it meant to me for you to come see me in jail as you did; it was very kind of you. It made a difference. But when you finally do know why the Prince is