The Riftwar Legacy: The Complete 4-Book Collection. Raymond E. Feist

      ‘Agreed,’ conceded the squire, ‘but none the less true for being strange. I have had an unusual opportunity to improve my situation.’

      ‘The opposite is my fate,’ said Gorath. ‘I was a clan chieftain; I was sought out in council and was counted among the leaders of my people. Now I am sitting in squalor with the enemy of my race.’

      James said, ‘I am no one’s enemy lest he harm me or mine first.’

      Gorath said, ‘I can believe that, squire, though it strains my senses to hear myself saying it; yet I can’t say that for most of your race.’

      James said, ‘I never claimed to speak on behalf of most of my race. If you’ve noticed, we’re often a great deal more busy killing one another than we are causing problems for the nations of the north.’

      Suddenly Gorath laughed. Both Owyn and James were startled by the sound, surprisingly musical and full. ‘What’s so funny?’ asked Owyn.

      Gorath’s smile faded and he said, ‘Just the thought that if you were a little more efficient killing one another, I wouldn’t have to worry about a murderous dog like Delekhan.’

      At mention of the would-be conqueror, James was reminded of the importance of unravelling the knotted cord of who was behind which plot. So far he had decided that this Crawler, whoever he might be, was more a problem for the Upright Man and his Mockers, and Prince Arutha, and whatever other local nobles he was plaguing, but his part in Delekhan’s plans was coincidence, not design.

      The Nighthawks were obviously working with either the Crawler, the moredhel, or both. And what caused James to worry was that they might be again the pawns of the Pantathian Serpent Priests. At some point James would bring up the serpents with Gorath, but not here in this public a place.

      The barmaid, a stout woman who had probably been a whore in her youth, but now could not rely on her faded looks to earn her livelihood, came over and with a suspicious look at Gorath asked their pleasure. James ordered ale, and she left. James returned to his musing.

      There was another player in this, some faction who was orchestrating all this turmoil in the Kingdom, either the Pantathians or someone else and that was what had James concerned. Going over what Gorath had told Arutha and James several times, he said, ‘I would give a great deal to know more about those you call the Six.’

      Gorath said, ‘Little is known of them, save by Delekhan’s closest advisors, and I know of no one who has actually met them. They are powerful, and have provided my people with weapons in abundance. But Delekhan’s enemies have been disappearing suddenly. I was called to council and taken on the road to Sar-Sargoth and locked away in the dungeon by Narab, Delekhan’s chief advisor.’

      James said, ‘You didn’t mention that part before.’

      ‘You didn’t ask about what I had been doing before I met Locklear,’ said Gorath.

      ‘How did you escape?’

      ‘Someone arranged it,’ said Gorath. ‘I’m not sure who, but I suspect it was an old … ally. She is a woman of some influence and power.’

      James was suddenly interested. ‘She must have a great deal of influence to get you free right under Delekhan’s nose.’

      ‘There are many close to Delekhan who will not openly oppose him but would be pleased if he failed; Narab and his brother are among them, but as long as the Six serve Delekhan, they will as well. Should anything befall Delekhan before he consolidates the tribes, any alliance he has forged will disintegrate. Even his wife and son are not fully trusted by him, and for good reason. His wife is Chieftain of the Hamandien, the Snow Leopards, one of the most powerful clans after Delekhan’s own; and his son has ambitions that are obvious.’

      Owyn said, ‘Sounds like a happy family.’

      Gorath chuckled at that, his tone ironic. ‘My people rarely trust those who are not of our own family, tribe or clan. Beyond that are political alliances and they are sometimes as fugitive as dreams. We are not a trusting people by nature.’

      ‘So I have determined,’ said James. ‘Then, for the most part, neither are we.’ He slowly stood up. ‘Excuse me. I’ll be back in a moment.’

      He passed the barmaid who ignored him as she brought the ale to the table, which forced Owyn with ill humour to pay for the drinks from his meagre purse. Gorath found this amusing.

      James crossed to where a man had emerged from the back room, dark skin and beard marking him as one of Keshian ancestry. ‘Can I help you?’ he asked with an appraising look. By his accent, he was a Keshian by birth. He was thin, and James assumed dangerous, and while his close-cropped beard was greying, he was probably still vigorous enough to be a deadly opponent.

      James said, ‘You’re the owner of this establishment?’

      ‘I am,’ he said. ‘I am Joftaz.’

      Lowering his voice, James said, ‘I am here representing interests that are concerned with some downturns in their business of late. There are difficulties stemming from the activities of men who have been most recently both up in Romney, and to the west.’

      Joftaz regarded James with an appraising eye. ‘Why mention this to me?’

      ‘You live in a place where many pass through. I thought perhaps you might have heard something or seen someone.’

      Joftaz laughed in a jovial manner that was entirely unconvincing. ‘My friend, in my line of work, given where we are, it is in my interest to hear nothing, notice no one, and say little.’

      James studied the man a moment. ‘Certain information would have value.’

      ‘How much value?’

      ‘It would depend on the information.’

      Joftaz looked around and said, ‘The wrong thing said in the wrong ear could end a man’s life.’

      ‘Daggers have points,’ said James, ‘and so do you.’

      ‘On the other hand, I do find myself in need of some help in a delicate matter, and for the right man I could possibly remember a few things I’ve heard or faces I’ve seen.’

      James nodded. ‘Would this delicate matter be aided by a sum of gold?’

      Joftaz smiled. ‘I like your thinking, young man. What may I call you?’

      ‘You may call me James.’

      For an instant the man’s eyes flickered and he said, ‘And you are from …?’

      ‘Most recently, the village of Sloop, and before that Romney.’

      ‘Then the men you seek who had been recently in Romney are involved in some matter up there?’

      ‘Some matter, but before we discuss what I need to know, I need to know the price.’

      Joftaz said, ‘Then, my young friend, we are at something of an impasse, for to tell you any of my need is to tell you all my need, and as they say, “in for a copper, in for a gold”.’

      James smiled and said, ‘I’m hurt, Joftaz. What must I do to win your trust?’

      ‘Tell me why you seek these men.’

      ‘I seek them as nothing more than a link in a chain. They may lead me to another, one with whom I have some serious issues. He is one behind murder and treason, and I will have him to the hangman or dead at my feet; either is fine with me.’

      ‘You’re the King’s man, then?’

      ‘Not directly, but we both respect my employer.’

      ‘Then swear by Ban-ath you will not betray me, and we shall strike a bargain.’

      James’s grin broadened. ‘Why by the God of Thieves?’

      ‘Who better? For a pair of thieves