Jimmy and the Crawler by Raymond E. Feist Read Free Book Online

Sarth; but here in Durbin, everything moved to an alien rhythm. He was now coming to understand that rhythm. And there was something decidedly strange about it.
    Given the power the Crawler had displayed in intruding into long-standing relationships in Krondor, as well as his apparent links to the mad magician Sidi and the pirate Bear, not to mention a mad demon cult in the desert not too far from here, there should have been some evidence of his presence here in Durbin.
    There was none.
    This troubled James and was on his mind as he watched the gangway being run out from the Kingdom ship. He glanced around and moved to a position alongside the stall nearest the dock, offering him the shortest distance to the gangway without having to cross open ground.
    The gangway was secured and Jazhara and William were the first two passengers to disembark. As soon as they were on the docks James was at Jazhara’s side, so that suddenly it looked as if three passengers had left the ship. If either Jazhara or William was surprised by his sudden appearance, neither betrayed it, Jazhara simply saying, ‘Oh, there you are.’
    James said, ‘I have rooms for us.’
    ‘Shouldn’t we pay a visit to the palace, first?’ asked William.
    ‘The governor’s not expecting you. A courtesy call is required, but as long as this isn’t a diplomatic visit, there’s no need to be alacritous.’
    James grinned as William smiled and said, ‘“Alacritous?” You’re sounding like a courtier, Sir James.’
    ‘Practising,’ said James. He lost his smile. ‘Old habits die hard and I’ve been Jimmy the Hand here for a week now.’
    ‘Any problem with the locals?’ asked William.
    Jazhara’s gaze travelled over the crowd at the docks, looking for any sign that they were being overheard or that magic was being used.
    ‘No, but we’ll talk more later.’ James glanced around. ‘Where’s your luggage?’
    ‘And yours,’ added Jazhara. ‘Offloading it soon, I expect.’
    James hurried over to the boss of the dock gang. A quick conversation was followed by a few coins being exchanged, and he returned. ‘Come along. I paid the man to have our luggage delivered to our inn.’
    ‘Can you trust him?’ William asked.
    ‘Of course not,’ said James. ‘That’s why I paid more to have everything arrive intact, with the promise of more on delivery. A dock gang boss is greedy, not stupid. We appear people of means, so it pays to take what’s offered and not incur the ire of someone who may know someone in power. We come and go, but he’s there every day.’
    William nodded, smiling slightly.
    Jazhara said, ‘What are we looking for?’
    ‘Let’s leave that conversation for a less public place,’ James replied.
    ‘We’re being watched?’
    ‘Almost certainly. Word will reach the governor within half an hour that the niece of the very important Lord Hazara-Khan has landed in Durbin with an escort of two minor functionaries—’
    ‘Minor?’ interrupted William.
    ‘Minor,’ continued James. ‘And he will then be wondering what is afoot.’ He paused. ‘About the same time he’ll start worrying if he might perhaps be in some sort of trouble with the Empire or the Kingdom or both, a note from the Lady Jazhara will arrive at his door indicating an unexpected family need has caused her to visit his lovely city, and she would so very much enjoy presenting her compliments in person.’ James winked at his companions. ‘He’ll start worrying again and invite you straightaway, perhaps even for an informal supper tonight.’
    They wended their way through the evening crowd, seeing the occasional merchant still trying for that one last sale before calling it a day, walking past open stalls with savoury and pungent aromas as meals were being prepared for those who lived in their stalls, or those who sold food, or those on their way home too busy or unable to cook for themselves. At last they reached a small inn that was crawling with workers.