The Rambling Spy

by Mackenzie Morgan

  “You helped build a house?” Gwynn asked. “Why?”

  Rhianna told her parents about the slaver raids on Camden, the rescues, Doreen, her boats, the house, and the women who lived there. Then she turned to her father. “Do you remember Dougan?”

  Hayden thought for a moment. “He went somewhere to train soldiers, but I’m not sure where. Don’t know if he’s back yet though.”

  “He isn’t. He’s in Farragon.” Rhianna explained about Eryn, her rescue, and Dougan’s reaction to his grandson choosing to live in Milhaven rather than go back to Farragon.

  Hayden shook his head. “Unless Dougan’s mellowed with age, he’s like a dog with a bone when he’s made up his mind. He won’t give up on getting the boy to go back home.”

  “As far as Marshall’s concerned, he is home,” Rhianna said. “Farragon might be Dougan’s home, but it’s not Marshall’s, not anymore.”

  “But back to you,” Hayden said. “Are these women you’re living with the ones you defended against that assassin? The one you captured a few weeks ago? Caelan told me about it.”

  Rhianna hesitated. “Actually there were two assassins. I used my knife to stop the one who shot at us, but Doreen used a shovel on the other one before he had a chance to shoot.”

  “A shovel?”

  “She sneaked up behind him and smashed him over the head. We had no idea who they were or why they were attacking us at the time.”

  “So?” Hayden prompted as he went back to his food. “Did you find out?”

  “The one I stopped said something about capturing a couple of women and trading them to Myron for Landis.”

  “Were they Rolan’s men?” Gwynn asked.

  Rhianna nodded. “Myron took them back to Trendon and left them with Rolan.”

  “He what?!” Hayden jerked his head up. “Why didn’t he kill them? Or lock them up? They’re probably back in Milhaven by now!”

  “I doubt it,” Rhianna said. “Myron told Rolan if he sent any more men to Milhaven with orders to hurt anyone, he’d challenge him to a duel.”

  Hayden shook his head. “He can’t do that. He’s the Master Sorcerer.”

  “Rolan said the same thing, but Myron told him he’d resign as Master Sorcerer, give the keys back to Glendymere, and then he’d be free to challenge any sorcerer he wanted to.”

  Hayden thought for a moment, then nodded. “Did Rolan believe him?”

  “I can’t say for sure, but no more strangers have shown up around Milhaven.”

  Since everyone had finished eating, Gwynn started clearing the table. “How much longer do you plan to stay there?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe months, maybe years. I like it there. And I’m having fun teaching those classes. Some of the people in Milhaven have asked if I’d teach them, too. I’m thinking of starting classes down there this winter.”

  “I’m not sure you should be doing that,” Hayden said. “Training can be dangerous. If someone gets hurt, they’ll blame you. Could cause hard feelings between the humans and the elves.”

  Rhianna shook her head. “We’re careful. We work with daggers, but we use wooden sticks with blunt ends when we practice fighting. And I don’t let them fight each other. They fight me. If anyone gets hurt, it’ll be me.”

  Gwynn frowned. “I’m not sure I like that.”

  “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ve been doing this for a while and no one’s hurt me yet. I’ll be fine.” Rhianna stood up. “Here, let me help you wash up and then we’ve got to get back. It’s time to pick up Nikki.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Rhianna kissed her parents good-bye and left their house. Duane and Kevin were sitting on Duane’s front porch when she got there.

  “So? How’d it go?” Duane asked.

  Rhianna shrugged. “Father didn’t yell. Mother didn’t cry. At least not while I was there. You’ll probably hear about it though.”

  Duane nodded. “I’ll let you know.”

  Rhianna looked at Kevin. “Ready to go?”

  Kevin stood up and took out his key. “I meant what I said tonight, Duane. You need to bring Shelandra to the castle for a visit. A lot of people remember her and were disappointed when she wasn’t with you last March. Figure out when you can come and let me know. I’ll pick you up with the key, and you need to plan to stay at least three or four days. A week would be better.”

  “I’ll talk to her and let you know something.”

  As Rhianna slipped her hand in Kevin’s, she looked at Duane and said, “Good luck with Mother and Father.” Then Kevin turned the key and they left for Milhaven.

  ~~~~

  After the dishes were done and Rhianna had left, Gwynn sat down across from her husband and sighed as tears filled her eyes. “She’s not coming back.”

  “What are you talking about? Of course she’ll be back!”

  “To visit, not to live.”

  “Where else is she going to live?”

  “Milhaven.”

  Hayden shook his head. “She’ll get tired of being there before long. She loves it here!”

  “Which is one of the reasons she’ll visit, but her life’s in Milhaven now.”

  Hayden scrunched up his nose. “No it’s not. She’s spreading her wings, getting to know something about humans. She’ll get bored soon enough.”

  Gwynn let out a little laugh. “This has nothing to do with spreading her wings, Hayden. This is about Myron. She’s in love with him.”

  “That’s nonsense! If she was in love, I’d know it. You’re seeing things that aren’t there.”

  “Hayden, you’re blind as a bat where these things are concerned. You told me I was imagining things when I told you Duane was in love with Shelandra. You denied it right up until he brought her home as his wife!”

  “But I know Rhianna. If she was interested in him, I’d know. For one thing, she’d have brought him to dinner tonight instead of leaving him at Duane’s. For another, she’s not living at the castle. She’s off somewhere in Milhaven, spending her time with a bunch of women. You’re looking for trouble where none exists.”

  Gwynn just stared at Hayden. “She’s living in Milhaven because she does care for him.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense. If she cared for him the way you’re saying, she’d be at the castle instead of that house.”

  “When she was at the castle, she was a guest in his world, and if she’d stayed there, she’d always be a guest, an outsider.”

  “Anyone who’s not from there’s an outsider,” Hayden said. “What are you getting at?”

  “She and Myron are from two different worlds. He can’t leave his world to live in hers, so she’s building a life for herself in his. By living in Milhaven, she’s becoming part of his world, a member of their community. She’s not an outsider anymore.” Gwynn stood up and pushed her chair under the table. “This is what I was afraid of when you first told me about that harebrained plan of yours. I hoped I was wrong, but deep down I knew I wasn’t. She’s a woman in love.”

  “I still think you’re wrong, but if she’s not back by the end of summer, I’ll go to Milhaven and find out what’s going on. If it turns out you’re right, I’ll find some way to fix it.”

  Gwynn shook her head. “Some things can’t be fixed, Hayden, and this is one of them.”

  ~~~~

  When Rhianna and Kevin got back to the office, Chris and Nikki were the only ones there.

  “Hi,” Chris said as he leaned back in his chair. “How’d it go?”

  “Good question,” Kevin said, looking at Rhianna.

  Rhianna shrugged. “I’m not sure. They asked me about the assassins.” She glanced at Kevin. “Can’t say my father was thrilled you more or less let them go. And I’m not sure why it never came up before, but they had no idea I was living in town. They thought I was still here, at the castle. That took a bit of explaining, but other than that, they didn’t say much.” After a pause, she added, “Which was strange. I expected a lot more argument about my s
taying here.”

  “Maybe they figured if they made a fuss, you’d stay longer, just to prove you could,” Chris said. When Rhianna frowned, Chris asked, “What would you have done if they’d insisted you move back to Crinsor Run?”

  Rhianna’s frown deepened. “I can’t see them doing that, but I wouldn’t have moved back just because they said so. They tried to stop me from going to Willow Canyon, and you know how well that worked.”

  Chris nodded.

  “I imagine I’ll hear how they took it before long. Duane will let me know.” Then Rhianna looked at Nikki. “Ready to go for your walk, girl?”

  Nikki jumped up and ran to the office door.

  “Guess that means yes.” Kevin looked at Chris. “Anything I need to know about?”

  Chris shook his head. “I’m going to shut down the office and head upstairs. See you later.”

  While Kevin and Rhianna were walking, Rhianna asked Kevin about his schedule for the coming week. “I know you have the ministers’ conference going on, but I don’t know how much you’re involved.”

  “I’ll have transportation tomorrow and Friday, private conferences on Tuesday, and I’m speaking after lunch on Thursday. Why?”

  “I’d like to spend a few days with Landis while she’s still in Willow Canyon, and since we won’t be running any self-defense classes this week, I thought it would be a good time to go. Have you decided when you’re moving them?”

  “Probably the last week of July, but I haven’t told them yet.”

  “Will you have time to take me tomorrow morning, before you start transporting ministers?”

  “We won’t start until after lunch. I have to meet Glendymere at the canyon lands at nine. Do you want to go before then or closer to lunch?”

  “I’d like to get there early. Can you drop me off on your way to meet Glendymere?”

  Kevin nodded. “Want to meet me at the office? Or should I pick you up?”

  “I’ll meet you at the office.” Rhianna paused and then asked, “You don’t have anything Wednesday, do you?”

  “Not as far as I know.”

  “Can you pick me up then?”

  Kevin thought for a moment. “Wednesday should be fine, but let’s say after dinner. If I can’t get away, Chris can pick you up, or Laryn. At any rate, someone will be there.”

  Rhianna laughed. “That’s fine.”

  They walked for another hour or so, chatting about nothing in particular. When they got back to the house, Kevin said, “I’m going to miss this next week.”

  “So will she.” Rhianna tilted her head at Nikki.

  “I know. Things will be so hectic around the castle I’ll probably have Marshall keep her. Either that or take them both up to Kyle’s.”

  “Want me to stay here and keep her? I don’t have to go see Landis right now. I can go later.”

  Kevin shook his head. “She’ll be fine. Go enjoy yourself. But I may ask you to keep her after you get back to give Marshall a break.”

  Rhianna nodded. “But if you need me for any reason, come get me. I don’t mind.” Rhianna kissed him goodnight and started up the steps to the front door. “See you in the morning.”

  Chapter 5

  The Ministers' Conference

  On the surface, everything seemed ready in the Governor’s and Sorcerer’s Offices Sunday morning. The pages wore crisp new uniforms and boots polished to a shine. Every surface and window sparkled and vases of fresh flowers sat on every table. The aroma of fresh baked goods filled the air.

  But under the facade of polish was a last minute rush to adjust schedules, double check details, and make sure every possible problem had been anticipated and dealt with. Even the most casual observer would have no doubt that Ariel and Petri were running the show.

  When Rhianna walked into the office to wait for Kevin, Ariel glanced up and waved her towards Kevin’s office. “If you don’t mind, would you wait for him in there? He was in the dining room a few minutes ago. He shouldn’t be long.”

  Rhianna nodded and headed for Kevin’s office. She’d barely sat down when Kevin walked in.

  “Ready to get out of this madhouse?” he asked.

  “Everything looks nice out there. They seem to have things well in hand.”

  “Looks can be deceiving. They still haven’t given me a list of who to pick up and where I’m supposed to meet them. Last I heard, they’re considering splitting the list between me and Chris. It’ll make my afternoon a lot less hectic if they do, but they’re afraid they might insult someone by sending Chris.”

  Rhianna frowned. “That sounds petty. Surely none of your ministers would mind if Chris picked them up.”

  “Not normally, but things got pretty tense while we were taking them home after Laryn’s reception and the pages don’t want anyone wondering if I sent Chris because of something that was said at the time.” At the blank look on Rhianna’s face, Kevin explained. “That was when the ministers found out about the slaver raids. They were all up in arms wanting to know what I was going to do about it. I finally got angry and said I’d like to do away with slavery all over Terah, but it was hard for the other sorcerers to take me seriously when the ministers of Camden kept requesting more and more slaves for their districts. That’s when it got sort of ugly.”

  “Why? You told them the truth.”

  Kevin shrugged. “They thought I was being a hypocrite, that the castle staff was made up of slaves. The pages spoke up and said no one here was a slave, but I’m not sure the ministers believed them. I don’t know how much animosity is still floating around out there over things that were said last fall, but Karl’s bringing slavery up during his first session so it’ll all get stirred up again.” Kevin shook his head. “Anyway, it’s time to take you to Wildcat Mountain so I can go meet Glendymere. I have to get back here and clean up before the pandemonium hits.” As Kevin took out his key, he laughed at Rhianna’s puzzled look. “Pandemonium is…”

  “Never mind. I get the idea.” Rhianna put her hand on his arm. “Let’s go.”

  Once they were in Ashni’s front yard, Kevin took Rhianna’s hand, led her behind the trees, and rested his hands on her shoulders. “I’m going to miss you.”

  Rhianna smiled. “I hope so.”

  As he leaned in to gently kiss her, she put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. As the kiss deepened, his arms slid around her in a full embrace. A few moments later, they slowly broke apart. After she caught her breath, Rhianna said, “You and Nikki could always slip away after everyone has gone to bed. We could have our evening walk up here.”

  Kevin smiled. “I’ll see if I can arrange it, but no matter what, someone will be here to pick you up after dinner Wednesday.”

  Rhianna nodded. “Until then.”

  As Rhianna turned towards the house, Ashni and Blalick stepped away from the kitchen window.

  “Looks like the boy is interested in the elf,” Blalick said.

  “With the way he was looking at her, I think it is safe to say he is not a boy anymore. And from what I saw, I would say the attraction is mutual,” Ashni said with a quick chuckle.

  Blalick’s eyebrows knitted. “Should I inform Hayden?”

  “No. It is up to them to let her parents know. Now go open the door for her while I put on some tea.”

  ~~~~

  When Kevin and Chris got to the office after lunch, Ariel motioned towards Kevin’s office, followed them inside, and handed each of them a folder. “We set this up like the reception. You have a list of where you need to go, maps indicating the houses where you’re meeting the ministers, and a list of who should be there. Bring each group back here. We’ll check them in and turn them over to Petri, who’ll assign them a bunk.”

  Kevin sat down at his desk, opened his folder, and counted the number of trips on his list. “I’ve got nineteen stops. How many do you have, Chris?”

  Chris looked over his list. “Twelve.”

  Before either of them could say anythin
g, Ariel looked at Kevin. “A few of the groups have four ministers. We gave those to you. And, to be honest, a few of the ministers are… difficult. We gave you those, too.”

  “Gee, thanks,” Kevin mumbled while Chris smiled and said, “Thanks.”

  “And we had a few who requested you pick them up, so we honored their requests.”

  “Did you mark those?” Kevin asked.

  Ariel shook his head. “We didn’t figure it mattered. I can see if Petri has a list if you want me to.”

  Kevin shook his head. “If there’s a reason, I’ll find out soon enough. What time did you tell them to expect us?”

  “All we said was after lunch, so you can start whenever you’re ready,” Ariel said. “Anything else?” When neither of them said anything, Ariel slipped out of Kevin’s office and pulled the door shut behind him.

  Kevin took off his key to Terah and handed it to Chris. “The sooner we get started, the sooner we’ll be done. Good luck.”

  ~~~~

  Kevin didn’t finish transporting ministers until nearly dinnertime. After his last group, he slipped into his office, shut the door, and collapsed at his desk. He hadn’t been there two minutes when the door opened and Chris walked in with two cups of coffee.

  “What took you so long?” Chris asked as he handed Kevin a cup. “I finished a couple of hours ago.”

  “Thanks.” Kevin leaned back in his chair. “I had more than you did.”

  “Not that many more.”

  “Remember when Ariel said some of the ministers requested me?”

  Chris nodded.

  “I bet they were the ones whose wives wanted to introduce me to someone, and in a couple of cases, more than one someones.” Kevin sipped his coffee.

  “As in female someones?”

  “As in single females looking for a husband.”

  “How many times did that happen?”

  “Eight. And six of them had set out things for afternoon tea and expected me to eat with them. I was reminded more than once that I’d put them off last November saying I didn’t have time, but they knew things weren’t as rushed today since the wives weren’t going.”