Feist, Raymond E - Riftwar Cycle 11 - Rise of a Merchant Prince by Feist Raymond E

Author:Feist, Raymond E [Feist, Raymond E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, 20th century, American fiction, War
ISBN: 9780006497011
Publisher: Voyager
Published: 1995-08-15T06:00:00+00:00

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.

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