Rise of a Merchant Prince (26 page)

Calis nodded, lost in his own thoughts as James and Nicholas returned to speaking of families and children.

Roo looked around and Erik laughed. “You look as if you're ready to run.”

In low tones, Roo said, “Truth to tell, I've felt that way since the minute I proposed.”

Erik tried to look understanding, but he couldn't hide his amusement Roo said, “You wait. One of these days you'll propose to that whore—”

“Wait a minute,” began Erik, his good humor vanishing.

“Wait, wait,” said Roo. “I'm sorry. I'm just not sure this is such a good idea.”

Looking around the temple, where Karli and Roo were about to be married, Erik whispered, “It's a little late for that.”

Karli was entering the temple from a side door, as brides were required to do by the followers of Sung the White. At her side was Katherine, the girl de Loungville had captured and turned to the Prince's
service. Karli had no friends to speak of, and it wouldn't have been proper for Mary, the maid, to serve as her companion. So Erik, as Roo's companion, had asked the serving girl to substitute. To his surprise, the girl had said she would.

“Well, here we go,” said Roo, and he turned to march down the center aisle, Erik at his side.

The only witnesses were Luis and some of the other workers from the office, and Jadow and those soldiers who had served with Roo in Calis's company. They watched as the priest, obviously bored by the fifth or sixth such ceremony of the day, hurried through the rites.

Roo vowed to care for Karli and be true to her, and she the same, and suddenly the priest was saying that the White Goddess was pleased and they could now leave. Erik gave the priest the votive offering required for such a ceremony, and the wedding party was ushered outside by harried-looking acolytes.

Roo and Karli were escorted to a carnage hired for the occasion, while the others made their way on foot or horseback to the Grindle house. As the carriage made its way through the streets, Roo turned to see Karli with eyes downcast, staring at her hands.

“What's wrong?” asked Roo. “Aren't you happy?”

Karl looked at him and her gaze struck him like a blow. Suddenly he knew there was anger and resentment behind the girl's bland façade. But her voice was calm and her tone almost apologetic as she asked, “Are you?”

Roo forced a smile. “Of course, my love. Why wouldn't I be?”

Karli looked out the window. “You looked positively
terrified walking down the aisle.”

Roo tried to make light of it. “It's the normal reaction.” When she turned to look at him, he quickly added, “So I've been told. It's the ceremony and the . . . rest.”

They traveled in silence as they made their way slowly through the city. Roo studied the passing cityscape, watching the changing buildings, the throng of citizens, traders, and travelers, as they moved through Krondor at a stately pace until they reached the Grindle house. Erik and the others were waiting as the carriage pulled up.

As Roo's companion, Erik opened the door, and Katherine moved to help Karli from the carriage. The girl might be a stranger, but she took her part of bride's companion seriously.

Inside, the cook had prepared a tremendous repast, and the best wine from the cellar had been uncorked. Roo awkwardly let Karli move through the entrance before him, despite the tradition that said a husband should lead his wife through the door. It was, after all, her home. When she was inside, she said, “I'll see to the kitchen.”

Roo put a restraining hand upon her. “Let Mary. You will never serve again in this house.”

Karl studied his face a moment, then a faint smile appeared on her lips. Roo turned and said, “Mary!”

The maid appeared and Roo said, “You may begin serving.”

The guests fell to, and the food was both delicious and bountiful. After a more than satisfying meal, Erik stood. He looked around the room and saw Katherine smiling at his awkward stance. He loudly cleared his throat, and when conversation didn't
diminish, he said, “Listen!”

He had raised his voice louder than he had wished and the room fell silent, then erupted in laughter. Blushing furiously, Erik held up his hand. “I'm sorry,” he said, grinning at his own embarrassment “It's my duty as the groom's companion to offer a toast to the newlywed couple.” He glanced at Luis. “Or so I have been informed.”

Luis nodded with a courtly smile and a wave of his hand. Erik said, “I'm not one for words, but I do know this: Roo is my friend, more like a brother to me than any man living, and I only wish his happiness.” Then he looked at Karli and said, “I hope that you love him as I do and that he loves you as you deserve.” He raised his goblet of wine and said, “To the newlywed couple. May they live to an old age and never regret a moment of their lives together. May they know happiness every day of their lives.”

The company drank the toast and cheered, then Roo stood and said, “Thank you.” He turned, to Karli. “I know this has been a difficult time,” he said, referring to her father's murder, “but my earnest desire is to make the bad times fade into memory and to fill your days with happiness.”

Karli smiled and blushed and Roo held her hand awkwardly. The dinner progressed and Roo was filled with good cheer and too much wine. He noticed that Erik spent a great deal of time talking to the girl Katherine, and that Karli kept her own counsel most of the day.

Soon the guests began to excuse themselves, and after night fell, Roo and Karli were bidding good evening to Erik, who was the last to leave. When the door closed, Roo turned to his wife and found her
staring at him, an expression impossible to read on her face.

“What is it?” he asked, suddenly sobering with a stab of fear. Something about her manner caused him to feel the need to draw a weapon.

She came into his arms and put her head on his shoulder. “I'm sorry.”

Roo's head swam and he felt his knees wobble, but he forced himself to be alert enough to ask, “What are you talking about?”

Over the sound of sobbing, he heard Karli say, “I wanted this to be a happy day.”

Roo said, “And it isn't?”

Karli didn't speak. Tears were her only answer.

Jason pointed.

The pile of ledgers and journals before the former waiter from Barret's was daunting. “Well, I've been through them all,” he said as he pushed his chair back from the writing desk now established in the corner of the workshop.

Carpenters had built a set of shelves for Jason, as well as a low railing around his work area, so he could see anyone coming into the warehouse, despite some privacy. Roo had informed the youth that he would be responsible for the smooth operation of the freight business if he, Duncan, and Luis were all absent from the premises at the same time.

Duncan looked bored, as he usually did when it came to matters of business, unless it was getting paid, and Luis was his usual taciturn self. Roo said, “And?”

Jason said, “Well, you're in better shape than you thought, if you can get some of those who owed Helmut money to pay up.” He held out a parchment upon which he had been working for days and said, “I've compiled a list and the amounts owed.”

Roo glanced at it “There are a couple of noblemen here!” Jason smiled. “Experience at Barret's tells me they may be very slow in paying accounts.” He paused a moment, then added, “If you don't mind my saying, you might just wish to let some of those debts ride until you need a favor from someone highly placed in court or with influence with another noble; that sort of thing.”

Roo shook his head. “I don't mind your saying.”

Holding out another list, Jason said, “I had more trouble with this.”

Roo looked at the second list. “What's this?”

“People Mr. Grindle did business with in distant cities, but whose identity is unclear.”

Roo's confusion was evident. “Their identity is unclear?” Jason said, “This is not uncommon. Often those who trade in valuable goods don't wish it widely known they have rare items in their possession, or that they need to sell such. Hence the notations. It's a code, and only Mr. Grindle knew the identities of these people.”

Roo puzzled over the list. “Maybe Karli knows who some of these people are. She knows a great deal more about her father's trade than I think even he was aware of.”

Duncan said, “What are we doing now?”

Roo found his cousin's attitude irritating lately, as he often complained about not having as much authority as Luis. Roo wanted to give Duncan more authority, but had discovered he lacked Luis's willingness to work hard. Luis, on the other hand, rarely complained and was always meticulous in whatever task lay before him, while Duncan often was sloppy and left things undone.

Biting back a nasty reply, Roo said, “We're leaving for Salador in the morning. We have a special cargo to deliver.”

“Salador?” said Duncan. “I know a barmaid there.”

Roo said, “You know a barmaid everywhere, Duncan.”

“True,” said the former mercenary. His mood seemed to brighten visibly with the prospect of a change of scenery.

It was Luis who said, “What cargo for Salador?”

Roo handed over a rolled-up parchment Luis snapped it open and held it up before him, and his eyes widened. “This is incredible.”

The remark caught Duncan's interest at last. “What is it?” he asked.

“We're taking a load of goods from the palace to the estates of the Duke of Salador,” answered Roo.

“The King's cousin?” asked Jason.

“The very same. I have no idea what it is we are carrying, but the Prince of Krondor is sending it by fast freight—us—and we need to make haste. But the price is too good for us not to go. And while there,” he said, holding up the list, “we'll attempt to identify the two names in Salador.” He mused over the list. “We've got a half-dozen names within a week's ride of Salador. I think we'll deliver our cargo and then nose around some in the east.”

To his companions he said, “I'm going home to speak with Karli, and then Duncan and I will be departing at first light tomorrow.” To Duncan he said, “Be here and be alert.”

Duncan frowned, but both knew that, given a choice, he was likely to come wandering in around
midday with a hangover.

To Luis, Roo said, “You're in charge while Duncan and I—”

Duncan said, “Wait a minute, cousin. Why not take Luis and leave me here to run things?”

Roo regarded his cousin a moment; that request could only mean Duncan had a new barmaid or serving wench who had caught his fancy. With ill humor Roo said, “Because I prefer to return here next month and find I am still in business.”

He ignored Duncan's dark expression as he continued his interrupted instructions to Luis. “You are in charge, and if you have any unusual needs, see Karli. Jason knows what our resources are, so if something comes your way that depletes us of our money, make certain it's a sure thing.”

Luis smiled. Many times he had said to Roo there were no “sure things.” “Understood,” he said.

Roo said, “Jason, you're doing a good job with the ledgers. Now, can you start a fresh set of accounts for me, beginning the day I took sole control of the company?”

Jason said, “I can do that.”

Roo said, “Good, and label them ‘Avery and Company.” He turned to the door, then stopped. “And don't mention that last bit about the name change to Karli until I return.”

Jason and Luis exchanged glances, but neither spoke. Roo left the office and began the long walk home. The city streets were crowded as sundown approached. Vendors hawked their wares, trying for that last sale before they called it a day and returned to their own homes, while messengers hurried to carry that last missive of the day.

Roo wended his way through the press, and by the time he reached home, the sun had set behind the buildings opposite the Grindle house. He glanced around and suddenly realized how dingy this place looked, even when not overwhelmed by shadows. He once more vowed that as soon as he could afford it, he would move his wife to newer, more sumptuous quarters.

He opened the door and entered. Karli was in the kitchen, talking with the cook, Rendel, and Mary, the maid. Mary saw Roo first and said, “Oh, sir. It's the lady.” Since the wedding, the maid had taken to referring to Karli as “the lady of the house,” or simply, “the lady,” as if she were the wife of nobility. Roo found he liked that, as well as being referred to as “the master,” or “sir.”

Roo took a moment and then the scene registered. Karli stood at the large chopping block that dominated the kitchen, holding tightly to the edge. Her hand was white, she was gripping so tightly. “What's wrong?” he asked.

Rendel, a huge woman of unknowable years, said, “She's off her feed, poor dear.”

Roo frowned, not being quite sure he liked having his wife referred to as if she were livestock. “Karli?”

She said, “It's some sort of stomach problem. I just walked in a moment ago and the smell of food . . .” She grew even more pale, and suddenly her hand came to her mouth as she fought to keep whatever was in her stomach down. She turned and left the kitchen, hurrying out the back door toward the jakes.

Mary, a simple enough young woman of modest intellect, said, “I'm so worried about the lady.”

Rendel laughed and turned back to the vegetables
she was washing in a bucket in the sink. “She'll be fine.”

As Roo looked at them both, obviously unsure what to do next, Mary said, “Sir, should I go see to the lady?”

Roo said, “No. I'll go,” and he went after his wife out the rear door of the home.

The plain façade of the house hid, along with the interior of the home, the rich little garden that lay behind it. Karli spent a great deal of her time in the garden, which was equally divided between vegetables and flowers. At the far wall stood the modest little outhouse, from which issued the sound of Karli's retching.

As he reached the door, it opened and a pale Karli emerged. “Are you all right?” said Roo, at once regretting the question.

Karli's expression showed it to be one of the more stupid questions of Roo's life, but she said, “I'll be fine.”

Roo said, “Should I send for a healer?”

Karl smiled at his obvious concern. “No, it's nothing a healer can help.”

Panic revealed itself in Roo's face. “My gods! What is it?” Karli couldn't help but laugh, despite her obvious physical discomfort. She allowed him to offer an arm and let him walk her to a tiny stone bench next to a modest fountain. “It's nothing to be alarmed over, Roo,” she said. When they sat she told him, “I wanted to be sure. You're going to be a father.”

Roo sat speechless for a minute. “I need to sit down.”

Karli laughed. “You are sitting.”

Roo stood, said, “Now I need to sit down,” and sat down again. Then his narrow face split in the widest grin Karli had ever seen. “A baby?”

Karli nodded, and Roo suddenly realized he had never seen her look so lovely. He kissed her on the cheek. “When?”

“Seven more months,” she said.

Roo calculated, and his eyes widened. “Then . . .”

She nodded. “The first night.”

Roo said, “Imagine that.” He sat motionless and speechless for a long moment. Then a thought crossed his mind, and he said, “I shall have Luis change the sign to ‘Avery and Son' at once!”

Karli's eyes narrowed. “Change the name of the company?”

Roo took her hand and said, “My love, I want the world to know I have a son coming.” He stood up. “I must tell Duncan and Erik, before I leave tomorrow.”

He was halfway across the garden when she asked, “Leave tomorrow?”

He halted. “I'm going to run a special cargo to Salador for the Prince. I'll tell you about it when I get back, but I need to tell Erik and Duncan I'm going to be a father.”

He dashed out of the garden without waiting for a reply. Karli sat quietly for a moment, then stood slowly. She asked herself, “What if it's a daughter?”

In the failing evening light, she returned to the only home she had known her entire life, feeling nothing so much as a guest in her own house.

Roo groaned. Duncan laughed as he snapped the reins, urging the horses out the city gates. Duncan, Luis, Erik, and Roo's other friends had feted their
friend on the announcement of his coming fatherhood and now Roo was paying the price. He had been helped home by Duncan and had fallen into bed nearly comatose next to Karli. Without comment she had roused him the next day when, against expectations, Duncan had arrived on time.

They had made their way in the predawn light to the shop, hitched up the wagon, and headed out to the palace. At the gate a squad of men waited and they quickly loaded the cargo for Salador.

Then, to Roo's surprise, Erik rode up with a squad of horsemen, an escort for the cargo. All he said was “I don't know what's in there, either.”

Now it was midday and the wagon rattled along at a good rate over the King's Highway, starting the long climb up into the foothills of the southern end of the Calastius Mountains. Roo said, “We need to rest the horses.”

Duncan reined in the team and shouted, “Erik. Time for a break.”

Erik, who had been riding a short way ahead, nodded as he turned his own horse and dismounted, signaling to the other guards to do the same. He picketed his horse by the roadside and let it crop grass.

Duncan took a large waterskin and drank, then handed it to Roo. He poured a bit over his face and wiped it off, then drank.

Erik came over and asked, “How's your head?”

“Too small to hold the pain inside,” Roo replied. “Why did I do that?”

Erik shrugged. “I sort of wondered myself. You seemed to be working very hard at being happy.”

Roo nodded. “Truth to tell, I'm scared witless.
Me, a father.” Taking Erik away from the wagon, he said to Duncan, “Check the horses, will you?”

When they were out of earshot, Roo said, “What do I know about being a father? All my old man ever did was beat on me. I mean, what am I supposed to do when the baby gets here?”

Erik said, “You're asking the wrong man. I never had
any
sort of father.”

Panic surfaced on Roo's face. “What am I going to do, Erik?”

Erik grinned. “You're only going through what we all go through, I bet. It's a big change. First a wife, now a child.” He rubbed his chin. “I've wondered what I would do if I fell in love and got married, had children.”

“And?”

“I really don't know.”

“Some help you are.”

Erik put his hand upon Roo's shoulder. “Well, I did come up with one thing. I imagine if I'm ever a father and something happens that I don't anticipate, I'm going to ask myself, ‘What would Milo do now?'”

Roo pondered that a moment. Then he smiled, “He's the best dad I've ever seen, the way he treated Rosalyn and you as kids.”

“That's how I figure it,” said Erik. “If I start to get confused, I'll just imagine what Milo would do and try to do that.”

As if this somehow made the prospect of being a father less fearful, Roo brightened. “Well, I think I'll have another drink of water.”

Erik laughed. “Take it easy, Roo. You have a lot of time to recover from last night.”

Roo turned back toward the wagon. “So why are you in charge of this escort?” he inquired.

“I asked for it,” said Erik. “Things are under control back at the palace, and the Prince seems to think this cargo needed special protection, and I haven't been home in a year.”

Roo blinked. “It has been a year, hasn't it?”

Erik said, “This way we'll have two visits: a short one on the way through, and we can probably steal an extra day on the way back for a proper get-together.”

Roo said, “Well, you've got your mother and Nathan, Milo, Rosalyn. Lots of friends.”

“You've also got some friends, Roo.”