Free Assassin 3 - Royal Assassin by Hobb Robin Page A

inanely.
    That flustered him. In some ways, he conceded as
a boyish flush rose on his cheeks. He turned back quickly to his
window. Come and see my ships, he commanded.
    It was my turn to be baffled. I stepped to the
window beside him and looked out over the harbor, and then over the
sea itself. Where? I asked in bewilderment. He took me by the
shoulders and turned me toward the shipyard. A long barn of a
building of new yellow pine had been erected there. Men were coming
and going from it as smoke rose from chimneys and forges there.
Dark against the snow were several of the immense timbers that had
been Kettricken's bride offering to him.
    Sometimes, when I stand up here on a winter
morning, I look out to sea and I can almost see the Red-Ships. I
know they must come. But sometimes, too, I can see the ships we
shall have to meet them. They will not find their prey so helpless
this spring, my boy. And by next winter I intend to teach them what
it is to be raided. He spoke with a savage satisfaction that would
have been frightening, had I not shared it. I felt my grin mirror
his as our eyes met.
    And then his look changed. You look terrible, he
offered. As bad as your clothes. Let's go somewhere warmer and find
you some mulled wine and something to eat.
    I've eaten, I told him. And I'm much better than
I was a few months ago, thank you.
    Don't be prickly, he admonished me. And don't
tell me what I already know. Nor lie to me. The climb up the stairs
has exhausted you, and you're shivering as you stand
there.
    You're using the Skill on me, I accused him, and
he nodded.
    I've been aware of your approach for some days
now. I tried several times to Skill to you, but could not make you
aware of me. I was concerned when you left the road, but I
understand Burrich's concern. I am pleased that he has looked after
you so well; not just in bringing you home safe, but in all that
went on at Jhaampe. I am at a loss as to how to reward him. It
would have to be subtle. Given who was involved, a public
recognition would not do. Have you any suggestions?
    Your word of thanks would be all he would
accept. He would bridle that you thought he needed more. My own
feelings are that no object you gave him would be a match for what
he did for me. The way to handle him is to tell him to take his
pick of the likely two-year-olds, for his horse is growing old.
He'd understand that. I considered it carefully. Yes. You might do
that.
    Might I? Verity asked me dryly. There was an
acid edge to the amusement in his voice.
    I was suddenly amazed at my own boldness. I
forgot myself, my prince, I said humbly.
    A smile curved his lips and his hand fell on my
shoulder in a heavy pat. Well, l asked you, did I not? For a moment
I would have sworn it was old Chivalry instructing me in handling
my men, rather than my young nephew. Your trip to Jhaampe has quite
changed you, boy. Come. I meant what I said about a warmer spot and
a glass of something. Kettricken will be wanting to see you later
in the day. And Patience, too, I imagine.
    My heart sank as he heaped the tasks before me.
Buckkeep Town pulled at me like a lodestone. But this was my
king-in-waiting. I bowed my head to his will.
    We left the tower and I followed him down the
stairs, speaking of inconsequential things. He told me to tell
Mistress Hasty I needed new clothes; I asked after Leon, his
wolfhound. He stopped a lad in the corridor and asked him to bring
wine and meat pies to his study. I followed him, not up to his
chambers, but to a lower room at once familiar and strange. The
last time I had been in it, Fedwren the scribe had been using it to
sort and dry herbs and shells and roots for the making of his inks.
All signs of that had been cleared from it. A fire burned low in
the small hearth. Verity poked this up and added wood as I looked
around. There was a large carved oak table and two smaller ones, a
variety of chairs, a scroll rack, and a battered shelf littered
with miscellaneous objects.