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

‘Welcome to the Sign of the Jade Monkey,’ said James.
    Jazhara laughed as she regarded the newly painted sign hanging above the door. It showed a green-furred monkey with its eyes closed, sitting in a cross-legged position with its hands on its knees as if meditating. ‘I’m not sure the Jade Monks will find that amusing.’
    William chuckled. As he ushered them inside, James said, ‘They’re a pretty humourless lot, but I doubt one of them will ever see it: they tend to stay in their monastery in the mountains far to the east. Besides, that wasn’t really the intent, but a rather happy little accident.’ He gestured to a young woman. ‘Lady Jazhara and Sir William, may I introduce the proprietor of the Jade Monkey? Gina, also sometimes known as Jade, and she is indeed at times a monkey.’
    Gina threw James a dark look for a second, then smiled. ‘Welcome. You are our first guests!’
    William cast an appraising eye over the beautiful hostess. She was wearing a clinging gown fashioned from green silk and set with pearls. Her jewellery betrayed that she was new to having means, it being both large and gaudy.
    James said, ‘We’ll take a meal upstairs, Gina, given the state of the common room.’
    Glancing around, Jazhara and William could see that the carpenters and painters had just gone home, leaving a great deal of work for the next day. James picked up some wood shavings off a nearby table and let them go, watching them for a moment as they drifted to the floor.
    ‘I do prefer my food without sawdust,’ said William with a laugh.
    James handed Gina a small purse. ‘I know our kitchen isn’t ready, so have a boy run down to Ahmen’s and fetch us back fruit, cheese, bread and wine. Oh, and if Maribeka has any hot sausage left in her stall, on his way back have him grab some of those, please.’
    Gina smiled and nodded, hurrying off to do as she had been bid. William watched admiringly as she went, and turned to see Jazhara staring at him with a narrow gaze. ‘What?’ he asked.
    She said nothing but turned towards the stairs leading to the second floor. As she moved off, William threw James a questioning look. ‘What?’ he repeated. James answered silently with a shake of his hand, communicating that he was not going to get involved in whatever was going on. William could see he was trying mightily to stifle a laugh.
    They followed Jazhara upstairs all the way to the top floor. When they arrived on the landing they saw three doors, one on each side and one directly before them, situated down a short hallway. James pointed to the left-hand door. ‘Jazhara, that’s yours.’ Then to the right, ‘And Willy, your room.’ He opened the door ahead and said, ‘And this is mine.’
    He led them into a small but well-appointed room. ‘Nothing too ostentatious, but nice and clean. We’re going to cater to a specific clientele: mid-level functionaries and agents, the sort we’d like to know better.’
    ‘We?’ asked Jazhara, removing her shoulder bag and placing it on the floor next to a small table. There were two chairs and a bed, and a modest night stand against the wall under a small window overlooking the street. William took the other chair and James sat on the bed.
    The former thief grinned. ‘I’ve purchased the Jade Monkey on the prince’s behalf.’
    William returned the grin. ‘Arutha will be no doubt thrilled with your expending royal funds to purchase an inn in Durbin.’
    ‘I think he will,’ said James solemnly. ‘At least I hope so.’
    ‘So, a nest of spies?’ asked Jazhara, looking a little disapproving.
    ‘Hardly. A convenient place for certain people loyal to Arutha to feel secure when they visit this blight of a city.’ He leaned forward. ‘Even though I’ve made this little investment and hired Gina to manage it on my behalf, trust no one who is not in this room.’
    They both nodded. Then William asked, ‘What is the plan?’
    ‘Rest, wait, and expect an invitation