The Rambling Spy

by Mackenzie Morgan

“So, what are your plans now?”

  “I don’t have any at this point,” Sean said with a shrug. “When I got there, my only plan was to get her and get out of Brendolanth. Once we did that, my next goal was to get back to Camden. I haven’t made any plans beyond that. For one thing, I wasn’t sure it would still be all right for us to live here.”

  “When I told you you’d be welcome here, I meant it.”

  “I know, but sometimes things change, especially when Rolan’s involved.”

  Kevin nodded. “Well, you’re still welcome, here or in Milhaven if you’d like to come back there.”

  “I don’t know. The few people I knew around there knew I was with Cpt. Garen, and we told everyone we’d taken a new contract.”

  “You can always say you fell in love and decided to change your plans. At any rate, it’s up to you, but if you do decide to go to Milhaven, we have a house you can have, and it’s completely furnished.”

  Sean frowned. “I don’t remember a vacant house around there.”

  “It wasn’t vacant when you left. I don’t know if you knew her, but it was Shana’s house.” Kevin explained about Shana, her parents, their return and relocation. “I talked to them last week. They’re positive they’re not coming back.”

  “I can understand that, but surely they’ll need their furniture. Isn’t there some way you can get it to them?”

  “I could use the key to take them anything they want, but they don’t want it. They don’t want anything that reminds them of that night, and unfortunately anything from here would. I’ll help them furnish their new house, but everything they had here is yours if you want it.” When Sean didn’t answer, Kevin said, “Take some time to think about it and talk it over with Kitra. If you decide you want the house, go see Sister Agnes when you get to Milhaven and she’ll show you where it is. Just let her know the cover story you want to use so she can tell me. If you decide to stay here, I’m sure you’ll be welcome. Or you can join the ones who stayed in Nandelia, or go somewhere else, it’s completely up to you.”

  “Thank you,” Sean said.

  “I told Cpt. Garen you’d found Kitra and the two of you had made it back to Camden. He said he’d like for you to join them when Landis comes back.”

  “I’d like that, sir.”

  Kevin nodded as he took out his key to leave. “I thought you might. Let me know where you end up. You can always get a message to me through Sister Agnes.”

  ~~~~

  Shortly after lunch the next Wednesday, Sean and Kitra walked into the Chapel of Light in Milhaven. When Duri showed them to Sister Agnes’s office, Sister Agnes welcomed them and then turned to Duri. “Would you run up to the castle and ask Myron to remove the wards on Shana’s house?”

  Two hours later, she accompanied the young couple to the house.

  Soon they were busy moving their stuff into Shana’s parents’ old house and Sister Agnes was on her way back to town.

  Before she returned to the chapel, she stopped by Fenway’s tavern for a mug of scog, and to tell the tavern host she’d sold Shana’s parents’ house for them. Before she left, Fenway knew that Sean, who had lived outside town for several years with Petar and the other freelance soldiers, had met Kitra, fallen in love with her, married her, and brought her back to Milhaven.

  Once she was back in her office she smiled to herself. By morning, everyone in town would know. By lunch, Kitra would have several welcoming visits from the local women and Sean would be the recipient of some good-natured teasing from the men. Before night fell, they’d both know they’d found a home.

  Chapter 23

  Hayley's Night Off

  About the time Sister Agnes got back to her chapel, Kevin left the castle to take Theresa and Torrey to Rainbow Valley. They were standing in front of Theresa’s cave with their bags in their hands when he got to the island.

  “Is Hayley already there?” Theresa asked as she and Torrey each put a hand on Kevin’s arm.

  “Not yet. She had a clinic this afternoon. She wanted to get things put away and take Sherri out to Marcie’s first. I’ll pick her up in an hour,” Kevin answered and turned the key.

  Ashni and Sari were waiting when they got to Rainbow Valley. After everyone hugged, Ashni took Theresa’s hand. “Torrey and I will get out of your way and let you and Sari get started, but I expect you and Hayley to join us for dinner tonight. And I would like for you to sleep at the house tonight, too. We have plenty of room.”

  Theresa smiled. “Thank you.”

  After Ashni and Torrey left, Theresa turned to Kevin. “I want to check the gardens before dinner. Tell Hayley we’ll be outside.”

  With a nod, Kevin turned his key and left.

  ~~~~

  An hour later, Kevin took Hayley to the cave. “Theresa said she and Sari were going to check on the gardens in the valley. You know where to find them?”

  Hayley nodded and set her overnight bag in the sitting room. “When are you picking me up? And where?”

  “Theresa’s not leaving until Saturday morning. When do you want to go back?”

  “I need to go back tomorrow. I told Marcie I’d be there by dinner, and I want to go by the chapel in Milhaven first, if you have time.”

  Kevin nodded. “After lunch? Around two?”

  “That’s fine. Here?”

  “I think Theresa’s planning to eat and sleep up at Ashni’s. I can meet you up there if you want me to.”

  Hayley thought for a moment. “I’m taking some herbs back. Some will be dried, but I need at least one tray of seedlings, maybe two. Let’s say down here.”

  Kevin nodded. “Are the trays going to Milhaven or Bridgeport?”

  “Bridgeport, but Marcie’s is fine.”

  “See you tomorrow then. Have a good time.”

  ~~~~

  After dinner Hayley and Theresa went down to the workroom. As they prepared the herbs they’d gathered, Theresa asked Hayley how things were going in Bridgeport.

  “All right now,” Hayley answered.

  Theresa looked at Hayley. “What happened?”

  Hayley told Theresa about the incident at Marcus’s house.

  “Do you have any idea who did it?”

  “It had to have been Lisal.”

  “Lisal?”

  Hayley filled Theresa in on the history between Lisal and Marcus.

  “What are you going to do about it?” Theresa asked.

  “Not a lot I can do. I packed up the stuff we don’t need right now, stored it, and moved the two of us in with Morris.”

  “What did he say about it?”

  “He doesn’t know. I told him I needed to be in town to make it easier for people to see me.”

  “Guess that’s as good an excuse as any. What did Marcus say?”

  Hayley shook her head. “He doesn’t know about it either.”

  “You know he’ll find out. Someone will tell him.”

  “How? Sherri won’t say anything and I can’t see Lisal telling anyone. How’s anyone going to know?”

  “Sherri’s a teenage girl. They aren’t very good at keeping secrets.”

  “We talked about it. I told her not to tell anyone.”

  Theresa paused. “She’ll have to tell someone.”

  “Why? I wouldn’t have said anything if you hadn’t asked.”

  “And you think no one’s going to ask her how things are going?”

  “It’s not the same. You’re my closest friend. You trained me. Of course I’d tell you. If Sherri wants to talk about it, she can talk to me.”

  “I wouldn’t count on that. This is juicy gossip. It’s made for sharing.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Everyone in Milhaven knows how you and Marcus feel about each other, Sherri included. And here’s this other woman chasing after Marcus, trying to get you out of his house, and probably out of his life before it’s over. It’s a classic love triangle, and Sherri’s got inside information. No teenage girl can keep news li
ke that to herself.”

  Hayley opened her mouth, shut it, and then asked, “Do you think she’ll tell Rayne?”

  “Marcie’s daughter?” Theresa asked. “Didn’t Kevin say Sherri’s staying there tonight?”

  Hayley nodded.

  “Are she and Rayne friends?”

  “They became friends the day we moved up there. Rayne helped Sherri get the bedrooms set up.” Hayley paused, then added, “And while they were upstairs, Rayne told Sherri about Marcus’s history with Lisal.”

  “Then she’s the perfect one for Sherri to tell. Rayne knows all the players and can add tidbits from other incidents.” Theresa grinned. “They’ll have all kinds of fun with this.”

  Hayley’s eyes widened. “If Marcie finds out what Lisal did there’ll be trouble. Big trouble. And then Marcus will find out.” A shudder ran down Hayley’s spine. “I don’t even want to think about that.”

  “Well, here’s hoping the girls treat it as their secret. Two can sometimes keep a secret that’s too big for one. This may be one of those times.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Now that you’re staying in Bridgeport, is Lisal causing any trouble?”

  Hayley laughed. “That depends on your definition of trouble. Lisal’s father owns the tavern and Morris arranged for us to hold our clinics there three afternoons a week. Lisal’s been complaining to everyone who’ll listen about what an inconvenience it is to have us in there. And when we’re scheduled to come, she rushes the customers out the door, saying it’s all my fault they can’t enjoy their meals.”

  “Have you told Morris?”

  Hayley shook her head. “To be honest, I don’t want her to stop. She doesn’t realize it, but she’s doing me a favor. Her complaining is speeding things up as far as the chapel is concerned. I think we’ll be able to move in around the end of the month.”

  “Good,” Theresa said. “But I’m surprised it’s taking them so long to get it done.”

  “Well, there’s no sorcerer around unless Marcus is up there. And since they were expecting me to work out of his house, they figured I had a place to live and see patients. They didn’t think there was any hurry.”

  “Until Lisal,” Theresa said with a laugh.

  Hayley nodded. “Until Lisal.”

  ~~~~

  Hayley was waiting when Kevin got to Rainbow Valley the next afternoon. “Ready to go?” he asked as he looked at the dining room table. One end had two trays full of seedlings, two large bags of herbs and her overnight bag. The other end had three small bags of herbs. “I take it the small bags go to Milhaven?”

  Hayley nodded, so Kevin scooped them up in his outstretched hand, held his arm out to Hayley, and turned his key. When they stepped out of the energy flow on the back porch of the chapel, he asked, “How long do you need here?”

  Hayley thought for a moment. “Two hours?”

  Kevin set the bags of herbs on the porch. “Meet you back here at four.” Then he turned his key and left.

  Hayley picked up one of the bags and opened the back door. Duri was in the kitchen mixing teas. She helped Hayley take the bags of herbs to the storeroom and unpack them. Then Hayley went in search of Sister Agnes. She found her in her office.

  “Hayley! It’s so good to see you.” Sister Agnes got up from her chair and walked around the desk to hug the younger woman. “How’s it going in Bridgeport? All settled in?”

  Hayley smiled. “Things are going fine. I decided to stay in town so I’d be more available and it’s working out great. I’m holding clinics at the tavern three afternoons a week.”

  “And that’s all right with the tavern owner?”

  Hayley shrugged. “I guess so. Director Morris is the one who set it up.”

  “Good. I’m glad he’s making sure you have what you need. Where are you staying while the chapel’s being finished?”

  “With him and his wife.”

  “And Sherri?”

  “She’s staying there, too.”

  “Do you have to share a room?”

  Hayley shook her head. “They raised three children so they have three spare bedrooms. They’re letting me use the third one for an office.”

  “When do you think you’ll be able to get into your chapel?”

  “Hopefully sometime next month.”

  Sister Agnes frowned. “It’s taking them a long time to get it done.”

  “Well, they don’t have a sorcerer to help out unless Marcus is in town, and since he comes up a couple of times a month, they tend to wait for him.”

  “I guess I can see that, and since you’re already there, they don’t feel the need to rush.”

  “We’re fine where we are, but I’m looking forward to getting into my own space. Morris and Gloria are wonderful about seeing to it we have our privacy, and Gloria’s a good cook, not as good as Blair, but a lot better than me. And better than Sherri, too.”

  “Speaking of food, Blair sent us some sweet rolls this morning. Let’s go see if there are any left. I could use a cup of tea.”

  For the next hour or so, the two women chatted about Milhaven. Before Hayley knew it, Kevin was knocking on the back door. “Are you ready to go? Or should I come back later?”

  Hayley shook her head. “No, I’m done.” Then she hugged Sister Agnes. “I’ll be back to see you before long.”

  Sister Agnes smiled. “Take care of yourself, Hayley. And good luck with the chapel.”

  After a quick trip back to Rainbow Valley to pick up the rest of the herbs and trays, Kevin took Hayley to Marcie’s back door. “Where do you want the herbs?”

  Hayley started walking towards a large shed. “I was hoping the wagon would be out here, but I guess it’s still inside.” She opened the door. Her wagon was parked next to Marcie’s. “Could you set them down here?” she asked, pointing to the wagon bed. “I’ll get Caleb to hitch up the horses for me later.”

  Kevin set the herbs down and asked, “Anything else before I go?”

  Hayley shook her head. “Thanks for taking me to Rainbow Valley and letting me stop by Milhaven this afternoon. I appreciate it.”

  “Anytime.” Kevin fingered his key. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be off. See you soon.”

  Once Kevin was gone, Hayley walked around the house to the front door and knocked.

  Rayne frowned when she opened the door. “What are you doing out here? You were out back with Myron a couple of minutes ago. Why didn’t you come in the back door?”

  Hayley felt her face heat up. “Is your mother in?”

  Rayne nodded. “She’s in the kitchen, waiting for you.”

  Hayley walked down the hall to the kitchen.

  “You do know you’re family, right?” Marcie asked. “You don’t need to knock, and you certainly don’t need to walk around the house to use the front door.”

  Hayley didn’t know how to answer that, so she didn’t say anything.

  “We’ll eat dinner in a little while, after Caleb and Lance get back.”

  “What can I do to help?”

  Marcie laughed. “Nothing. I had the girls do most of it earlier. Want some tea or coffee?”

  “No thanks. I’m fine.”

  Marcie poured herself a cup of tea, sat down at the table, and motioned for Hayley to join her. “So, how’s it going in Bridgeport? We haven’t had a chance to talk since you moved in with Morris and Gloria. How do you like staying there, and how are the clinics going? Is Lisal giving you any trouble about using the tavern?”

  Hayley took a deep breath and started answering Marcie’s questions. She had no idea whether or not Sherri had told Rayne what had happened at Marcus’s house, but one thing she knew for sure. No one had told Marcie, and that was very good news.

  Chapter 24

  South Port

  The next Monday morning, Hayden and Xantha left Crinsor Run for South Port. As Hayden walked into his brother’s office, he told Eldwyn to make sure they weren’t disturbed. Then he shut the door and sat dow
n. “We have a problem.”

  Weldon frowned. “What?”

  “Rhianna’s falling in love with Myron, and he’s as bad as she is. I was down there for a few days a couple of weeks ago. Everyone in town kept telling me how pleased they are that the two of them are together.”

  “But that was all an act. Are you sure they’re not just playing it out so Rolan won’t figure out it was fake?”

  Hayden shook his head. “I watched them when they were together. They’re not acting.”

  “Oh.” Weldon leaned back in his chair. “Do you think they’ll get married?”

  “At the rate they’re going? Yes.”

  “And I take it you’re not happy about it.”

  “Of course I’m not happy! Would you want your daughter to marry the Master Sorcerer? Do you know how many people would hate that idea? How many people would want to kill her?”

  Weldon sat back up. “Do you really think she’d be in danger?”

  “Absolutely! A lot of people already hate the House of Nordin because of their elven blood. Imagine how those people will feel about adding more!”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Find some way to put an end to this before it gets any worse.” Hayden paused. “And you’re going to help me.”

  “Me? How?”

  “I don’t know, but you got me into this mess. You can help me find a way out, and we’re going to find it before I leave!” Hayden took a deep breath and leaned back. “Any ideas?”

  For the next hour or so, they tried to come up with a believable situation that would compel Rhianna to move back to Crinsor Run, but every scheme they came up with involved an obvious lie.

  “I don’t suppose there’s any way you could get Gwynn to pretend to be sick, is there?” Weldon asked out of desperation.

  Hayden snorted. “Gwynn? She doesn’t want me to interfere to start with, but if I dared suggest she lie to her daughter, I’d be sleeping in the barn for the next month.”

  “She is a warrior elf. Could we get someone to hire her?”

  “If someone up here tried to hire her, she’d tell them to find someone else. There’s no shortage of warrior elves in North Amden.”