"Don't you run, you stupid pony," Daniel whispered as he pulled back on the reins. "You'll fall and break your leg."
A snuffling came from the brush on each side of him. "It's not anything to run from. It's probably just some ol' fat sow escaped from a farmer." His voice quivered on the last word. They exited the trees and into a small glade. In the moon's white light Daniel saw the cottage. "See. I knew it should be here soon." He urged Zipper forward. At the front door he glanced behind him. Something big and dark darted from one side of the brush to the other. He slid from Zipper's back and started toward the cottage door. The pony nickered and butted Daniel in the middle of his back as he passed. "Don't worry. I'm not leaving you out here. I just got to get the door open."
He twisted the knob and pushed inward, but the door wouldn't budge. "Damnation," he said, and felt guilt prick him at the forbidden word. Zipper pressed against him.
"Let up," he said, slapping back. The door gave and, with a lunge, he stumbled inside. He caught his balance and turned back for the pony. "Come on." He grabbed the reins and pulled. Zipper balked as his sides brushed the doorway. "Get in here. You want whatever's outside to get you?"
The pony surged forward. Daniel slammed the door and barred it in place. The cottage's two windows were shuttered, but he pried the shutters apart and looked outside. Three shapes came from the brush. They looked like forest wolves, but they couldn't have been; they were too big. They circled, sniffing the air and then loped back into the darkness.
"Damnation." He liked the sound of the forbidden word, and felt a small thrill tingle through him as he said it. "What are those things?"
Zipper whinnied and shifted from side to side.
"I've never seen anything like them, they're big and ugly, and I think they wanted to eat us."
The pony just looked at him, wide-eyed with fear.
"Don't worry. They're not going to get us."
He took his packs from Zipper's back, removed the saddle, and rubbed the pony down. From one pack he pulled out a feedbag and poured grain into it. "Go light on it," he cautioned the pony. "We don't have much. But we only have one day until we reach Lord Hafgan's. Then you can have all the grain you want. I did bring you a carrot." He offered it to the pony.
Zipper snatched the offering.
"You don't have to try to swallow it all at once. You want to choke?" Daniel moved toward the hearth. Twigs lay ready to be lit. It looked as if no one had visited since his last trip with Rourk. His brow furrowed. Daddy had promised to come with them, but something had happened and he couldn't. How could Rourk find time for him when his own daddy couldn't? He pulled the flint from his pocket and lit the dried grass beneath the twigs. The flames licked at the wood and soon a fire crackled.
Zipper fidgeted at the smell of smoke. "Oh, hush up. You think outside's better?"
A washbasin rested on a crude wooden table beside a narrow cot. Next to the basin was a clay pot. Daniel moved to it, happy to see water still filled it to the rim. There was a creek nearby, but he had no urge to visit it in the outside blackness.
A long shelf ran the length of one wall. Cups, plates, and pots lined it. The boy pulled a pot down and poured some water into it. He set it on the plank flooring before Zipper. "Here's some water, but don't you drink too much. I'm not opening the door to let you back outside to pee. You can hold it, just like I'm going to have to." Well, that wasn't the whole truth. There was a chamber pot in the far corner of the room. Daniel snickered at the thought of the pony trying to use it.
He lit a candle he found on the shelf. By the wan light he ate a dinner of beef, nuts and crusty bread, finishing it off with a handful of purple cantaloupe beans. He didn't know what a cantaloupe was, but his momma said the beans tasted just like one.
Had they missed him yet? Would they come looking for him? He probably should have left a note. His lips trembled. No, they wouldn't come looking for him. They'd have to leave Catherine.
Wind whistled down the chimney and the flames in the hearth danced in response. A shiver traveled his backbone. He didn't need them. He'd have Patrick and Lord Hafgan and Healer Kerry. Tears threatened and he blinked them away. "Only babies cry. And I'm no baby. It's what Catherine is, a baby. Only babies need their mommas and daddies." Daniel stood. He blew the candle out and moved to the cot. Two woolen blankets lay folded at its end. He picked one up, shook it out and then sneezed as its dank mustiness tickled his nose. "This must be what a wet sheep smells like." He wrapped the blanket around him and lay on the cot. By the light of the fire's embers, he glanced across to Zipper
The pony stood with head lowered, fast asleep. Reassured, Daniel closed his eyes and slept.
*****
Kelsey stared over Regan's head. She wasn't sure she'd have handled things the same way, but what was done was done. "Give her some time to cool off," she said. "Zara'll come around."
Regan sniffed. "Dragons have no concept of time. I could be old and gray before Zara cools down."
Kelsey stood. "You did what you had to do, and sometimes it hurts. You just have to play it out now and see what happens." She looked down at Regan. "I'm more worried about that nephew of mine. Have you talked to him?"
She heard the click of nails against stone and glanced up. Maggie came through the door.
The basset hound went right to Regan and nosed her hand. "He isn't in the stable."
"What? Who?" Regan sent, not understanding.
"Daniel is not in the stable. I can't find him anywhere."
"Did you try Rourk's rooms?"
"Regan, what's going on? Kelsey said. "It drives me crazy when you do this."
Regan waved her hand at her sister.
"Rourk is not in his chamber," Maggie sent.
"Regan?" Kelsey's voice held a clear warning.
"Maggie can't find Daniel."
"What do you mean? Can't find Daniel? You said you were on the way to his room to talk to him."
"I said I was going to check on him." Regan headed toward the door. Kelsey and Maggie followed on her heels. In the hall Regan turned left.
"Where are you going?" Kelsey said. "Daniel's room is this way."
"The stables to see if Zipper's there."
"You don't think he'd take off? Damn, that is what you think. Where would he go?"
Without pausing her stride, Regan reached down and touched the top of Maggie's head. "What about Patrick? Did you see him?"
"I couldn't get in," Maggie sent.
Regan broke into a full run as she entered the hallway. In front of the stable, she thrust the doors open. She rushed to Zipper's stall. "Dear Goddess, no."
Kelsey came up behind her. "He's gone."
Regan did not turn, and a soft moan came from her.
Kelsey grabbed her sister by the arms. "Don't lose it now. Where would he go?"
Regan shook her head. "I don't know."
"Think. He's been angry before. What does he do?"
"He goes to Patrick."
Kelsey whipped around. "Which room's Patrick's?"
"I—"
"Maggie. Patrick," Kelsey said.
The basset hound turned and raced away.
*****
Kelsey pounded on Patrick's door.
From inside she heard muffled voices. "Go away," Patrick ordered.
"It's Kelsey. Let me in."
She heard soft laughter.
"I've not the stamina for you this eve. Try me tomorrow."
Kelsey's hands curled into fists. "Open this door, you braying little ass, or I'll have a guard open it with his pike, and maybe you along with it."
She heard the shuffle of feet and the door jerked open.
"How dare you," Patrick said. He wore only his breeches, and those were unlaced.
"Oh, shut up. Have you seen Daniel?"
Maggie darted by both of them.
"Hey," Patrick yelled.
Maggie raced to the bed and jumped into the middle of the quilt-covered lump hiding there. A sh
riek came from inside and a tousled-haired head emerged.
"Get the beastie off me."
Kelsey could see the serving maid she'd spoken to earlier.
From down the hallway, a door thrust open and slammed against stone walls.
Rourk sprinted toward Kelsey. "What's going on? Who screamed?"
He stopped beside her and looked inside his son's room. Red stained his face, and he turned to glare at Patrick. The boy stared back, a mocking smile on his lips. Without a word, Rourk turned to face Kelsey. "What's wrong?"
From down the hall Regan ran with Peter behind her. "Is he there?"
Maggie jumped from the bed and trotted to meet her mistress. Regan pushed them all aside and looked inside Patrick's room.
"He isn't," she said, her face paling even more. She faced Peter. "Where can he be? I've looked everywhere."
"Who?" Rourk said.
"It seems they've lost Daniel," Patrick said with a small smile. "Now if you will excuse me..."
Peter and Regan stared at the serving maid who still lay in the bed with the quilt clutched beneath her chin.
Red suffused Regan's face. "Out," she said between clenched teeth.
"But, mistress," the maid sputtered as she pointed to her dress draped upon the back of a chair on the far side of the room.
"Now," Regan said, her icy voice dripping rage.
The maid kicked the quilt aside and, in a flash of pink and white skin, dashed toward her clothing.
Grasping the mound of petticoat and dress before her, she stared in a wordless appeal at Patrick. The boy shrugged and turned away from them.
"Go to your room," Regan said.
"Mistress, it won't happen again," the maid said, tears streaking her cheeks.
Regan stared at her for a long moment in silence. "No. It won't."
Sobbing, the maid dashed by them and ran down the hall.
"Regan," Rourk began stiffly, "I take full responsibility for—"
"I don't care," Regan said, cutting him off. "It's my son I want." She turned to Peter. "Where can he be?"
Rourk's lips tightened and his tanned skin paled, but he took a deep breath and asked, "Is Zipper gone?"
"Yes," Kelsey said.
"I know where he might be."
Regan and Peter faced Rourk. "Where?"
"The woodcutter's cottage. We've been there together, and not too long ago."
"The cottage?" Peter said. "Of course."
"It is on the way to Lord Hafgan's," Patrick said.
Regan whirled to face the boy. "What?"
"He goes to Hafgan to offer himself for fostering," Patrick said.
"Why?" Regan demanded.
"You have no need for two children," Patrick said with a grin. "You have no time for even one."
"Enough," Rourk said. "You shame me."
"I care not." Patrick stepped back and slammed his chamber's door.
"Has Daniel gone to Hafgan's?" Regan asked in a choked voice. "Have we forced our son to run to someone else?"
"We will find him and bring him home," Peter said.
Regan pushed away from him. "Yes, we will."
From the stairwell, a baby's wail came. A young maid came into the hallway clutching a screaming Catherine to her breast.
"The young miss is hungry," the maid said, holding the baby out to Regan.
Regan took Catherine and jostled her up and down as she whispered into her ear. Kelsey watched emotions flicker across her sister's face; frustration, anger, and love. Kelsey's eyes shifted to the opal earrings her sister wore. "You have to stay here, Regan."
"What? No."
"Catherine needs her mother."
"She can come with us."
"Don't be stupid. She's too young."
"You must stay here, love," Peter said. "You and Catherine will slow us down."
Regan's lips pressed tightly together.
Kelsey pulled her opal pendant from beneath her tunic. "Look. I'll let you know as soon as we find him."
"Yes, the bloodstones," Peter said. "You will know of Daniel as soon as I do."
Catherine whimpered and pressed her mouth against her mother's breast. Regan locked gazes first with Kelsey and then with Peter. Without a word, she turned and walked down the hallway. Kelsey heard Peter release a deep breath.
"Come," he said. "We must find Daniel."
Behind them, the door opened and Rourk came out. "I ride with you."
"Patrick?" Peter said.
"I will speak with my son, after we find yours."
"Rourk," Kelsey said, "bring your saddle bags. We will leave for Enid-Etain from the cottage. It makes no sense to backtrack."
Rourk nodded and strode away from them.
"To the stables," Peter said, heading toward the stairwell.
*****
Dirkk blinked, banished the sight of the woodcutter's cottage from his mind. That he could see through the eyes of his wolf-demons was a bit of information he'd kept from Thomas and Talix. He smiled at what he'd learned. Regan and Peter's whelp alone? He would not be so for long.
Chapter Eight
Daniel's eyes flew open and he bolted upright upon the cot. He strained to hear in the darkness as he tried to calm his heart's frantic pounding. The fire's coals still glowed in the hearth; he couldn't have been asleep very long. He glanced over at Zipper, and saw that the pony slept deeply and unafraid. He rose. What had wakened him? Daniel moved to the hearth, tossed a log on it. The dry wood caught and firelight filled the cottage. He searched each dark corner. All seemed well.
Daniel walked to the window and looked out. Moonlight bleached the darkness from the glade. The tops of the pines swayed in a wind freshened with the night, while above them the stars were pinpricks of cold light in the clear night sky.
Zipper nickered and butted Daniel's shoulder. The boy turned and scratched the white star upon the pony's forehead. "Go back to sleep, you lug head. There's nothing to worry about."
Zipper raised his head and flicked his ears forward. The pony's nostrils flared and he snorted softly.
"What is it?" He turned to stare across the glade again. "I don't see anything."
Through the darkness came the sound of tinkling reins, and then the murmur of voices. He stepped back from the window and slid into the shadows. His heart beat thudded in his ears as he stared at the cottage door.
Daniel ran to the hearth and picked up a good-sized log. He moved to the side of the door and lifted the log above his head. "You keep quiet," he whispered to Zipper.
He heard them dismount. There were at least two, maybe more. Zipper nickered and moved to the door.
"Get out of the way, you stupid pony," Daniel hissed. "Move or I'll swat you with this right between your dumb ears."
He slapped the pony's flank, but Zipper remained planted. "Damnation."
The door swung inward and struck the pony's nose. Zipper whinnied in surprise and moved back. Daniel's arms trembled, but he raised the log again.
"Daniel?"
It was his father's voice. Daniel sighed with relief and lowered the log.
"Zipper, back," Peter said. "Boy, where are you?"
Daniel couldn't move. His legs were as soggy as warmed-over mush. "I'm here," he said, his voice coming out a squeak.
"There you are," another voice said, and his Aunt Kelsey came into view.
His father came around Kelsey and stared into Daniel's face for a long moment before drawing him into his arms, log and all. Then Peter pushed him out to arm's length. "You are all right?"
Daniel nodded, then watched as anger replaced relief on his father's face.
"Where did you think you were going, son?"
"I—"
"It's the middle of the night."
"Peter," Kelsey said. "It's—"
"He is my son," Peter snapped.
"I know," Kelsey said. "Get him home first, then you can read him the riot act." She reached inside her shirt. She pulled the pendant free and clasped her hand
around it. "Regan, we've got him." She winced and then said, "Yes. Peter's bringing him right now. Rourk and I are staying here. We'll start to Enid-Etain in the morning."
Rourk. Daniel had not seen him. He felt his face flush as he heaved the log back onto the pile by the hearth. "I was going to Lord Hafgan. Patrick said I could be fostered there."
Peter's lips tightened. "You wish to foster?"
Daniel felt his lips tremble. "I'm old enough."
Rourk moved by them, picked up Zipper's saddle and tossed it across the pony's back.
"We will talk of it at home," Peter said, reaching to pick up Daniel's saddlebags. Rourk tightened the saddle's cinch and led Zipper outside.
Without another word, his father turned and walked out the cottage door. Daniel stared at his father's retreating back for a moment, then took a deep breath and followed. Kelsey squeezed his shoulder as he passed by. At the doorway, he looked up to meet Rourk's eyes. The man stared at him solemnly in silence. Daniel blinked back tears.
His father was already astride Skylar. Rourk laced his fingers together and offered them to Daniel. He placed his foot inside and was heaved up into Zipper's saddle. Peter turned Skylar back toward home, and Daniel followed silently.
*****
Kelsey watched until she could no longer see the two riders. Sighing, she turned to face Rourk. "I hope they go easy on him. He's just a confused little boy."
"They will do what is best. They love him." He turned toward the door. "I will see to Freya and Cloud."
As easy as that, they swung back into their traveling routine. A wry smile curved her lips. How simple it was to pretend nothing had changed between them.
Kelsey poked the dying fire with a branch, then added another log. She unpacked their saddlebags and spread their bedrolls in front of the hearth. The stream she'd heard bubbling nearby would provide them with fresh water. The linen-wrapped stack of trail food she set aside. Their journey to Enid-Etain should be completed tomorrow, but she had learned early in Daradawn that to trust in such things was sheer stupidity.
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