The Rambling Spy

by Mackenzie Morgan

  Rolan nodded. “Hang onto him, but send the rest of them on their way.”

  “What do you want me to do with him?”

  “Didn’t you tell me he used to be a guard?”

  “Yes, sir. We hired him two years ago, after Cpt. Garen and his men left.”

  “Return him to his post.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  After Cpt. Yardner left, Rolan leaned back in his chair and drummed his fingertips on his desk. He still wanted the key to that other world, but that would have to wait until after he’d dealt with Landis.

  Myron had said she was someplace he couldn’t get to her, not even with his key. That had to mean she was on the other world, and since its existence was some deep dark secret, no one else would be able to get to her either. As long as he found a way to keep her from coming back, he wouldn’t have to worry about her. And she did worry him. According to his father, she was the strongest of his children, and if that was true, Rolan wasn’t sure he would be able to defeat her.

  He got up, walked over to his window, and gazed out over the yard. He hated to admit it, but Myron was good. He’d fought Gwendolyn using only human magic and he’d reduced her to ashes in less than five minutes. If Myron taught Landis to be half the sorcerer he was, Rolan knew he wouldn’t stand a chance against her.

  Another frown creased his forehead as he turned back towards his desk. He needed to train, to become good enough to win a duel, but the only way he knew to do that was to spar. Rolan shook his head. That was too risky. His best bet was to keep from having to duel to start with. But to do that, he needed to make sure his sister never made it back to Terah.

  Rolan collapsed in his desk chair. Myron was the only one who knew where she was, so as long as he found a way to keep Myron from going after her, she’d be stuck on that other world. But how could he keep Myron from bringing her back?

  His immediate thought was to get someone to challenge Myron, but even if he could find someone crazy enough to do it, it wouldn’t solve his problem. Myron would have plenty of time to bring her back before the duel could take place.

  The only way to ensure that Landis didn’t make it back was to pry that key out of Myron’s dead hand before he had a chance to use it. Too bad he was too young to drop dead of apoplexy, but even young men fell victim to consumption. Rolan leaned back in his chair. Maybe he could find someone sick to give it to Myron. As he pictured Myron lying sick in bed, he shook his head again. Consumption was a slow death. Myron would have time to go get her before he became too ill to use the key. No. He needed Myron to die suddenly, before he realized what was happening.

  Rolan sat straight up. Or fall into a deadly sleep like Badec did. No one in Milhaven had figured out Badec had been poisoned. Maybe if Myron fell victim to the same thing everyone would mark it up to like father, like son. They’d think it was something in his blood.

  The more Rolan thought about it, the more he liked it. Getting the poison would be easy enough. Gerry had told him she grew the mushrooms in a trough in the shed behind the chapel in Glenco. He could sneak in at night, grab a couple of mushrooms, and get out before anyone knew he was there. And he’d had the foresight to insist on watching Gerry prepare the poison, so he knew how to make it. All he’d need was a kettle, water, and a bottle to put the juice in. All that was left was to find a place to make it.

  After a moment, Rolan smiled. He knew the perfect place, the cave near Glenco. That way he could get the mushrooms, make the poison, and be done in one night. Add a little poison to Myron’s evening drink and be done with him. He’d be in a coma by daybreak and Landis would be stuck on that other world.

  That thought brought another smile to Rolan’s face. He leaned back in his chair and sighed. He had plenty of time to work out the details before Landis learned enough to be a serious threat. He had his plan. That was enough for today.

  Chapter 2

  July Eases In

  Westover, Brendolanth

  Shortly after sunset Wednesday, Sean knocked on the back door of a house outside the town of Westover. He’d only been to that house once, the day he’d helped his parents move in, and that had been over two years ago, right before Rolan had sent him to Camden. He wasn’t even sure his parents still lived there.

  While he waited for someone to open the door, he took Kitra’s hand. “It’ll be all right. Whether they’re here or not, we’ll be out of town before anyone in Trendon finds out we were here.”

  Kitra nodded as her eyes darted around the shadows. “I’ll feel better when we’re out of Brendolanth.”

  “So will I,” Sean said as the back door cracked open.

  “Who is it?” a voice from inside asked.

  Sean smiled at the sound of the familiar voice. “It’s me, Mother. Let us in.”

  “Sean?” Leila opened the door, grabbed him in a big hug, and started crying. “I can’t believe it! You’re alive,” she gasped between sobs. “We thought you were dead!”

  Kitra squeezed in behind Sean and shut the door.

  Sean eased his mother back. “Why did you think I was dead?” he asked as he brushed away her tears.

  “We heard you and the rest of Cpt. Garen’s men were attacked by Myron and some of his guards. Cpt. Garen and a few of his men survived, but they said you were hit with an energy bolt, nothing but ashes left.” Leila shook her head. “We kept hoping they were wrong, that you were still alive. I wrote to Gilean to ask her if she’d heard anything, but I never heard back from her. Then a couple of weeks later, I heard she and the other wives had packed up and left to join their wounded husbands. When months went by with no news, we gave up hope.”

  Sean shook his head. “No one attacked anyone, Mother. I’m so sorry you heard that.” As he eased out of his mother’s arms, he tilted his head towards Kitra. “Kitra heard it, too.”

  “Kitra! Come here, let me see you.” Leila opened her arms toward Kitra. “It was such a shock seeing Sean that I didn’t even see you. How are you? How are your parents?”

  Kitra smiled as she hugged Sean’s mother. “I’m fine, much better now that Sean’s here. And my parents are well. They asked me to give you their best.”

  Leila smiled. “Are they still in Trendon?”

  Kitra nodded. “But I think they’ll leave now that I’m gone. They may join us later, after we get settled.”

  “There’s plenty of land around here,” Leila said as she glanced at Sean. “You could pick out a nice spot and get a house up in no time.” Then she looked back at Kitra. “And there’s plenty of room for your parents to put up a house, too.”

  “We can’t, Mother. Kitra and I need to get out of Brendolanth as fast as possible. Rolan thinks I’m still in Camden, and if he finds out I’m not, he’ll send bounty hunters after me. The only reason we came by was to let you and Father know I’m all right.”

  “Oh.” Leila’s face fell. “How long can you stay?”

  “I’d like to stay tonight, but we’ll need to be out of town before daybreak. I don’t want anyone to know we were here.”

  “Who would know? Everyone thinks you’re dead. As long as we don’t tell anyone who you are, no one will figure it out. You can stay here as long as you want.”

  Sean shook his head. “Rolan has spies everywhere who report on any strangers they see, whether they ride through or build a house. He’s convinced he has thousands of enemies, all plotting to kill him, and with some of the things he’s done, he might not be wrong.”

  “None of our neighbors would say a word,” Leila protested. “I know these people, Sean. They’re good, hard-working people.”

  “I’m sure they are, but he doesn’t give people a choice. Do you think any of us chose to go to Milhaven to try to kill Myron?”

  “He wanted you to kill Myron? The Master Sorcerer?”

  Sean nodded.

  “But you’re a guard, not an assassin!”

  “I know, but those were our orders. And he told Cpt. Garen if we didn’t get it do
ne before Myron’s first council meeting, he’d consider us dead and any wives or children left behind would be his to do with as he pleased, and it would please him to sell them.”

  Leila pulled back and stared at Sean. “Sell Gilean? And the other wives? And their children?”

  Sean nodded.

  Leila shook her head. “Those poor women.”

  Sean felt guilty letting his mother believe they’d been sold, but there was no way he could tell her the truth. She was far too trusting. She’d tell someone, who would tell someone else, and so on until it reached Rolan. There were people still working in the castle who’d been in on the plan to rescue the families and Rolan would kill them if he found out.

  After a moment, Sean asked, “Where’s Father?”

  “He’s at the tavern having some scog and a game. He’ll be back before long.” Then she picked up a pot and set it on the stove. “But while we’re waiting for Tanner, I’ll fix you something to eat and Kitra can catch me up on all the gossip in Trendon.”

  “And I’ll take care of the horses,” Sean said. “Is it all right if I put them in the barn? I’d rather no one notice extra horses in your pasture and start asking questions.”

  “Do you really think someone would?” Leila asked.

  Sean shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’d rather not take any chances. Back in a few minutes.”

  ~~~~

  Sean and Kitra woke up Thursday morning to the smell of coffee and baking bread, which was a bit of a surprise. They’d sat up until after midnight talking with Leila and Tanner. When they went to bed, Sean told his parents that he and Kitra would be gone by the time they woke up. His mother had kissed them goodbye and his father had wished them a safe journey.

  As Sean and Kitra were dressing, Leila knocked on their door with two cups of coffee. “I know you want to be on your way, but you need breakfast first. It won’t take you long to eat.”

  “Thank you.” Sean took the cups from his mother and handed one to Kitra. “We’ll be there in a minute.”

  Breakfast was on the table by the time they got to the kitchen. After everyone finished, Leila asked, “Are you sure you can’t stay for a few days? No one will notice you’re here, and even if someone does, they won’t care.”

  “Mother, if Rolan finds out we’ve been here, you’ll be in danger. He’d think nothing of grabbing you to make me do whatever he wants. That’s what he does. If he’d known about Kitra, he’d have already grabbed her. The best thing for everyone is for us to get out of Brendolanth. If he’s told everyone I’m dead, let them keep believing it. Don’t tell anyone I’m alive.”

  “Any idea where you’re going?” Tanner asked.

  Sean shook his head. “Right now my plan is to head south. After we get to Nandelia, I’m not sure, but we’ll probably keep heading south, at least for a while. I want a lot of miles between me and Trendon.”

  Leila studied her son’s face. “Will I ever see you again?”

  Sean hesitated. “I hope so, but I don’t know when.”

  “Can you at least write and let us know where you are and that you’re all right?”

  Sean shook his head. “It would be too risky since you never know who might read the letter before it gets to you.”

  Leila frowned. “Do you actually think someone might do that?”

  “I think it happens a lot more than people realize, especially letters to or from anyone Rolan’s keeping an eye on. But it should be all right for Kitra to send you a note once in a while. She won’t be able to say much, just a friendly note like she might send to anyone.”

  Leila sighed. “Be careful.”

  “We will.” Sean slid his chair back and stood up. “We need to get on the road.”

  As Kitra helped Leila clear the table, Tanner and Sean went out to the barn to get the horses. After they hitched the horses to the small wagon Kitra’s parents had given them, Tanner took several coins out of his pocket and handed them to Sean.

  When Sean protested, Tanner said, “I can’t do much to help you, but maybe these can pay for a bed one night or a warm meal. Please take them. I’ll feel better knowing you have them.”

  With a sigh, Sean thanked him and slid the coins in his pocket.

  Dawn was breaking as Sean and Tanner led the horses to the back door. As the men walked up the back steps, Kitra and Leila stepped outside, both carrying bags of food that Leila had packed for them.

  As Sean loaded the food, Leila smiled as she told Kitra goodbye and wished her well, but when Sean stepped up to hug his mother, her smile wavered and her eyes misted over with tears. “Take care, and never forget I love you,” she whispered as she hugged him.

  “I love you too, Mother,” Sean said around the lump in his throat. Then he shook hands with his father. “We’ll be back when we can, but it probably won’t be for several years.”

  Tanner put his arm around his wife as they watched Sean help Kitra up on the wagon seat and climb up beside her. As Sean turned the horses towards the road, he glanced back in time to see his father fold his mother into his arms and hold her as she wept.

  Sean wanted to avoid being seen anywhere around Westover, so he and Kitra turned onto a small wagon trail that led into the woods. A couple of hours later they came across a road running east and west.

  “Which way?” Kitra asked as she looked at the woods that lined the road in both directions.

  “Trendon’s west so let’s go east. As soon as we find a road to the south, we’ll take it.”

  “I thought you wanted to go to Camden.”

  “I do, but right now we need to get out of Brendolanth. We’ll head east once we’re in Nandelia.”

  Kitra frowned. “Then why did you let your parents believe we were staying in Nandelia?”

  Sean shook his head. “I love my mother to death, but that woman cannot keep a secret. She’ll tell several of her closest friends that we stopped by, and they’ll tell their closest friends, and before long, everyone in town will know we were there. I hope word of our visit doesn’t get back to Trendon, but if it does, I don’t want anyone to know where we’re really going, including my mother.”

  “But she’ll find out when I write her.”

  “Not if you don’t tell her. I know some people in southern Nandelia. I was thinking we’d send the letters to them and have them send your letters on to our parents.”

  “Isn’t that deceitful?”

  “No, it’s careful.”

  ~~~~

  Myerston, Camden

  Mikos had wanted to head south before summer, but he and Devron were still running Carson’s route on the West River. He felt like he was pushing his luck being in the same general area as Bridgeport. Even though Devron kept insisting it wouldn’t happen, Mikos was afraid he was going to run into the sorcerer who broke up the raid and grabbed the key.

  As they tied up at the dock in Myerston that Friday, Devron asked, “Has Carson told you when he wants to take over his route?”

  Mikos shook his head. “The last I heard was he’d be back by the middle of May.”

  “Today’s the fourth of July.”

  “I know.”

  “Maybe he’s thinking about giving it up.”

  “I can’t see him doing that.”

  “Why else would he let us keep running it?”

  “Maybe we should ask him,” Mikos said, “just as soon as we’re done here.”

  An hour later, they stepped up on Carson’s porch.

  Carson opened the door before Mikos had a chance to knock. “Come on in,” he said as he waved them towards the kitchen. “Want to join me for lunch? There’s plenty of stew.”

  After they finished eating, Mikos asked, “How’s your leg?”

  Carson laughed. “You’re wondering why I haven’t taken the route back, aren’t you?”

  “Sort of,” Devron said. “Not that we mind having steady work.”

  Carson grinned. “While I was off my feet, some of the local women brought me f
ood and stuff, and one of them happens to be a widow. She and I started talking and I wanted to see where that was going before I started working again.”

  “Have you asked her to marry you?” Mikos asked.

  Carson nodded. “Yesterday, and she said yes. She’s moving in with me in a couple of weeks. She needs to go through her house first, decide what to keep there, what to bring here, and what to give away.”

  “So what do you want to do about the route?” Devron asked.

  “I’d like to wait until the end of the summer to go back on the river,” Carson said. “Can you handle it until then?”

  Mikos hesitated but Devron nodded.

  Carson waited to see if Mikos was going to say anything, but when he didn’t, Carson continued. “I wanted to ask you what you think about expanding the route a little bit, taking it farther south, maybe down to Bridgeport. We’d have enough business to support all of us. Would you be interested in working together?

  “We might,” Devron said.

  Mikos frowned. “To be honest, I’m getting tired of living on a boat. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be willing to do it.”

  “What if we split the route so that one of us makes the northern run and the other makes the southern one?”

  Devron looked at Mikos and raised his eyebrows.

  Mikos shrugged. “I guess we can give it a try, but I’m not making any promises until we see how it goes.”

  “That’s fair,” Carson said. “I’ll get things lined up so we can start alternating runs by the beginning of September.”

  ~~~~

  Milhaven, Camden

  Later that afternoon, after Kevin and Chris finished the agenda for the July council meeting, Kevin leaned back in his chair. “I’m thinking about meeting with the castle staff.”

  “Why?” Chris asked.

  “Most of them know something happened involving Shana, but I’m not sure how many know what. I think we should tell them that Rolan kidnapped her parents to get her to do what he said.”

  “Why?”

  “So if anything like that happens to any of them, they’ll know they can come to us. If she had, we could have saved her and her parents a lot of grief.”