“I have no idea, but it’s not up to him.”
“I’m not sure he’d agree, and he didn’t strike me as the type of man who’d stay out of it.”
Rhianna sighed. “I know, which is why I want to talk to her when he’s not around. If it’s going to cause problems for her, I can find someone else. I can always ask Duane.”
“Or I could do it,” Kevin insisted. “I’m already here, and I don’t have a wife who’s about to have a baby. If Eryn wants to do it, fine, but if she can’t, I’ll handle it. I managed to find time to teach you.”
“True,” Rhianna said slowly. “All right, but let’s see what she says first. So, can we plan to go Monday morning?”
~~~~
Chris didn’t want to disrupt Wanda’s household by just showing up, so he asked Serra to find out from Debra how he should handle meeting Jenni and her mother. Debra’s solution was to invite them all to her house for tea Sunday afternoon.
As soon as she made the introductions and set some tea and cookies on the table, Debra grabbed her cloak and headed out, claiming Korman needed her at his shop.
Wanda smiled as she poured the tea. “Debra’s a dear to let us meet here. The only way we could have any quiet at my house would be to run everyone else outside, and it’s too cold to do that this time of year.”
Chris grinned. “I’m used to a bit of chaos. I grew up one of seven children.”
“Must have been hard for you to leave them,” Wanda said.
Chris shrugged. “We all went our own way once we were grown. I miss them, but I’m not sorry I came. I like Milhaven, and I like working with Myron.” After a pause, he turned to Jenni. “You know if you’re one of the pages, you’ll have to live at the castle, don’t you?”
Jenni nodded. “I’ll be able to go home on my weekends off though, won’t I?”
As Chris nodded, Wanda laughed. “A room to herself? Away from the little ones? I don’t think she’d mind that one bit.”
Chris looked at Jenni again and frowned. He couldn’t get over how young she looked. “Are you sure you’re ready to leave home?”
Jenni sat up as straight as she could and met his eyes. “I can cook, sew, keep accounts, read, and write. I know how to tend to children. I can bandage cuts and take care of skinned knees. I can milk cows, plant and harvest vegetables, gather eggs, and tend to dogs and cats. I can keep a house clean and do laundry. I’ll be thirteen in two months. It’s time for me to be on my own.” Then she looked towards her mother. “The real question is if you’re ready for me to go. I’ve always wanted to be a page, but if you need me at home, I can wait and try again in a year or two.”
Wanda took her daughter’s hand. “Don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine.” Then she turned to Chris. “I’m not sure what we need to say at this point. Do you have any questions for her?”
“Not really.” Then Chris looked at Jenni. “We’re losing two pages this summer, so we have an opening. But it’s not an easy job. Some days we’ll have an endless stream of people through the office, and on others no one will come through the door. Some of your days might start with a knock on your door before daybreak and end eighteen hours later with no time to take a deep breath. Other days will bore you to tears, and there’s no way to know what kind of day you’re going to have until it happens.” Chris paused a moment. “If you want to give it a try, we’d like to have you, but if you find it’s not what you thought, if you decide you want out, all you have to do is say so. No one will get mad at you or try to make you stay. And if you think there’s something else at the castle you’d rather do, let us know and we’ll see what we can do. Being a page isn’t for everyone.”
Jenni nodded. “I’d like to try it.”
Chris looked at Wanda and raised his eyebrows. When she nodded, he said, “We’ll plan to have you start the first Monday of February. You’ll need to come by the castle a couple of weeks before that and meet with Cryslyn. She’ll show you the room you’ll be staying in and get you measured for uniforms.”
Jenni grinned from ear to ear. “Really? I get to be a page?”
Chris couldn’t help but chuckle. “This reminds me of something my mother used to say. Be careful what you wish for, you may get it.” Then he stood up and held out his hand. “Welcome to the staff, Jenni.”
~~~~
After dinner Sunday evening, Gildan moved his horse to the paddock behind the inn. Then he went to his room to pack. He had to admit, he was a little sad at leaving Ardmore. He’d enjoyed his time there even though he’d worked harder in the last month than he ever had in his life. Harvesting oranges was not for the weak. One thing he was definitely taking away from his time in the orange groves was a new respect for farmers. He’d never given it much thought before, but someone put some serious work into growing and harvesting the food he’d taken for granted all of his life.
They’d finished up the last of the harvest Wednesday and spent Thursday cleaning up. He’d planned to head out Friday, but one of the men invited him to join them for a house raising over the weekend. Gildan had never been involved in anything like that, so he agreed. And he was glad he did, even if it did give him a few new aches and pains.
The whole town had shown up to help build the house, including Allisandra, which surprised Gildan, especially when he found out she did it for free. The women set up tables full of food and Tyner donated several kegs of scog. They worked from dawn to sunset for three days, but by Sunday evening, the house was ready for the family to move in.
As Gildan rode past the house on his way out of town, he smiled when he saw the smoke coming out of the chimney. The people of Ardmore had been good to him, and it made him feel good to think he’d done something for them in return. Maybe, when he was done with Rolan and had that box of coins, he’d come back this way. Ardmore would be a good place to settle down, and if Shana was still single, he might see if she’d be interested in settling down with him. She had a bit of fire in her and he liked that. Shana had a mind of her own and that’s what he wanted in his wife.
Wife. Gildan sighed. Best to leave those thoughts for later. For now he had a job to do, and next on his list was Danyelle.
He’d already plotted the route he wanted to take to Stanton, but since Danyelle lived on a farm, he’d either have to find a job on a neighboring farm or camp in some nearby woods. Either way, he didn’t want to get there while snow was still on the ground. He felt sure he’d find some places along the way to spend a few days, maybe make a little money. So far he’d managed to cover his expenses without dipping into the money Rolan had given him, and he’d like to keep it that way. He wanted to have plenty of money in his pocket when it came time to settle down, and he was thinking that time was coming as soon as he turned in his report and got paid. If the sorcerer wanted to keep searching for his sister, he could find someone else to do it.
~~~~
Monday morning Rhianna was waiting when Kevin got to his office. “Still have time to take me to Farragon?”
Kevin nodded. “Any idea how long we’ll be gone?”
Rhianna paused. “How would you feel about letting me have a key? That way I could be there as long as I need to and it won’t tie you up.”
“I get the feeling that not tying me up is a side benefit. What’s the real reason?”
“I’m afraid Dougan might come home while I’m there. I don’t know why, but something about you puts that man on the defensive, and he’s a lot harder to handle when his hackles are up. If it’s just me, I can say I’m there for a chat, female to female. That usually sends men scurrying for the nearest door.”
Kevin laughed. “If you hang around while women are talking, you run the risk of hearing about all kinds of unmanly stuff like falling in love and things men do that hurt their feelings. And then there are the conversations about raising children, or heaven forbid, pregnancy and childbirth. Have you ever been around when two women talk about labor?” Kevin shivered and hunched his shoulders.
&
nbsp; Rhianna laughed. “Things that make the bravest soldier tremble in his boots, and exactly the direction I intend to head if Dougan walks in, and it’ll be a lot easier if you’re not sitting there.”
“Easier on me, too.” Kevin removed the key to Terah from his chain and handed it to her. Then he held up the Gate key. “Ready?”
Fifteen minutes later, Kevin was back at his desk and Rhianna and Eryn were sipping tea in Eryn’s kitchen.
“How are things in Milhaven?” Eryn asked.
“Fine, as far as I know.”
“And Marshall?”
Rhianna grinned. “He’s having a good time. In fact, he’s why I’m here, he and Laryn.”
Eryn frowned. “Myron’s Aunt?”
Rhianna nodded. “You know the House of Nordin has elven blood, don’t you?”
Eryn nodded and sipped her tea.
“While Badec was alive, Laryn was so busy working with him that she never took the time to develop her skills with weather. Have you had a chance to do that yet?”
Eryn nodded. “Years ago, before Murphy came along. I was about twenty when I saw Father settle a storm. I insisted he show me how to do it.” Eryn laughed. “I had to promise I’d learn how to fight with a sword to get him to teach me how to play with the clouds. I already knew how to use a dagger and knives, but I didn’t like swords, too big and bulky.” Eryn shrugged. “I learned how to use one, but I still don’t like them. Give me a dagger any day.”
“Well, I’ve been teaching Marshall and Laryn how to do it, but I’ll have to leave Milhaven at the end of the month and I was wondering if you’d like to come work with them for a while.”
“Why are you leaving?”
“I’ve been asked to be an instructor for the incoming warrior elf candidates. I have to be at the training camp by February 1.”
Eryn’s eyes widened. “Congratulations! That’s quite an honor.”
Rhianna nodded. “It is, and it’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing, but it does mean I need to find someone to take over for me in Milhaven. The guards will handle my self-defense classes, but I need an elf to teach Laryn and Marshall. I thought you might like to do it, but it would mean moving to Milhaven for a while, and I know that would be a lot harder for you to work out than a visit. I don’t want you to feel like you have to do this. I can get someone else, my father, my brother, even Myron. In fact he argued that since he’s right there, he’s the perfect choice, but his plans for the day can get all messed up before breakfast. And this would give you the perfect excuse to spend some time with Marshall. What do you think?”
Eryn’s smile said it all. “I’d love to, and I don’t mind living in Milhaven for a while. It’s not like Murphy and my father depend on my being here. They’re still trying to adjust to the idea there’s a woman in the house. How long do you think I’d need to stay?”
“That’s up to you. I imagine you could teach them the basics in a month, maybe two. I started with them a couple of months ago, but between the baby and Marshall’s job, lessons have been few and far between.”
“Baby?”
“Oh, that’s right. You were gone by the time we found out. Laryn and Steve have a son now. He was born in November. I started working with them during the last few weeks of her pregnancy, mainly to give her something to do. She was going crazy sitting around the house.”
“I can imagine. She’d been in the middle of things for years, and then nothing to do but sit and wait to have her baby. Talk about boring!” Eryn shuddered. “When would I need to be there?”
“If you wait until I leave, my room at Doreen’s will be vacant. You could stay there if you want to. And it would give you about a month to get things sorted out here.”
“Will Myron pick me up?”
Rhianna nodded.
“Shall we say February 2?”
Rhianna shrugged. “Will that give you enough time?”
“To throw a few clothes in a bag?” Eryn laughed. “Plenty of time.”
“Would this time of day be all right? He’d just gotten to the office when I grabbed him to bring me here. If you wait until later in the day, he could get tied up and be unable to get away.”
Eryn nodded. “I’ll be ready.”
Then Eryn and Rhianna talked about the women at Doreen’s, news from the castle, and life as an elf in the middle of humans. Finally Rhianna said, “I’ve really enjoyed this, but I need to get back. I’ve got classes to teach.”
Eryn stood when Rhianna did. “Thank you for asking me to do this. It’ll be so much fun to teach my son how to be an elf.”
~~~~
Kevin was working at his desk when Rhianna stepped out of the energy field. “So? How’d it go?” he asked as he set his pen down.
“Just fine.” Rhianna handed him the key. “She’s looking forward to it.”
“When’s she coming?”
“February 2, right after breakfast.”
“My breakfast or hers?”
Rhianna laughed. “Yours. Same time as I went today.”
Kevin nodded. “Should Cryslyn prepare a room for her?”
Rhianna shook her head. “She can use my room at Doreen’s.”
Kevin frowned. “What if you want to come visit?”
“Then I’ll either use one of Doreen’s spare rooms or, if she’s full, I’ll stay in one of the guest rooms here.” Rhianna shrugged. “That won’t be a problem, will it?”
“Not for me. I just don’t want anything to get in the way of your coming back.”
“It won’t, don’t worry. Now, unless there’s something else, I need to go. See you at lunch.”
~~~~
Late Tuesday afternoon Chris walked into Kevin’s office and handed him a letter. “This is from Allisandra. Thought you might want to see it before you left.”
Kevin reached for the note, scanned it, and leaned back in his chair. “Gildan’s on the move. He left Ardmore around daybreak yesterday. Guess it’s time to warn the others.”
“You’ve got time. He won’t get anywhere near one of them before next month.”
“True, but I want to talk to Alli and see how things went. Maybe he did or said something that’ll give us some insight into what he’s up to.”
“I still say he’s looking for Landis.”
“And you may be right.” Kevin put the note in his desk drawer. “But I want to see what she says, and what Shana says. If he asked a bunch of questions, she’d have heard about it.”
Chris nodded. “Want me to go?”
Kevin shook his head. “I’ll go. Might see if Rhianna would like to go with me.”
~~~~
Kevin stopped by the stable before dinner and asked Marshall if he could keep Nikki a couple more hours and then take her to Chris. Then he went to Doreen’s to see if Rhianna wanted to go to Allisandra’s with him.
“I’d love to. Do you think it would be all right if I ask her to check on the gardens out here whenever she’s in town?”
Kevin grinned. “I’m sure she’d love for you to ask her. Nothing pleases her more than to be asked about gardens.”
“And you won’t mind? I mean, you’re the one who’ll have to go get her and take her back.”
Kevin shook his head. “If I’m busy, I’ll send someone else. I’m not the only one who knows how to use the key. But are you sure it’ll be okay with everyone here? Will Doreen mind?”
“Doreen will be relieved to have someone who knows what they’re doing check on them. She’s afraid the gardens won’t survive and I’ll blame her when I get back. Neisha said she’d help with them. Nan did too, but neither of them have a lot of experience with gardens.” Rhianna shrugged. “If necessary, I can start over when I get back.”
Kevin was hoping when she came back she’d live in the castle, but that was a discussion for a later date, a much later date. “So, do you want to eat here? At the castle? Or at Fenway’s?”
Rhianna shrugged. “I don’t mind.”
�
�Let’s go to Fenway’s. We haven’t eaten there lately.”
Rhianna laughed. “Not since last week anyway.”
“What can I say? Hard to choose between Blair and Miranda.”
“Don’t let Miranda hear you say that. She’d never forgive you.”
“You’re probably right about that.” Kevin held out his arm.
Rhianna shook her head. “Let’s walk. Last time we popped in there, Fenway dropped two mugs of scog. I felt bad about it when Ainsley had to mop it up.”
“I offered to,” Kevin said in self-defense.
Rhianna snorted. “Like anyone’s going to let the Master Sorcerer mop the floor.” Then she put her arm through his and they started walking. “By the way, Blair said Fenway’s hired someone to help out in the kitchen. I don’t know her, but from what I understand she and her husband moved into the area last fall. I think Blair said her name is Kitra.”
“How does Blair feel about it?
“She’s thrilled to have someone to work with who knows what they’re doing. She was afraid Ainsley was going to hurt herself trying to help.”
Kevin laughed. “Or set the place on fire again.”
An hour later, as they left Fenway’s with satisfied smiles on their faces, Kevin asked, “How is it that every time I eat there, I leave feeling like I’ve just had the best meal of my life?”
“Shush,” Rhianna said with a laugh. “You’ll get something started talking like that.”
Kevin shrugged. “Can’t help it. It’s true. Of course I feel like that a lot of times after eating at the castle, too.”
“You’re getting as bad as Chris.”
“Heaven forbid!” Kevin said in mock horror. “Ready to go to Allisandra’s?”
“Anytime you are.”
When Kevin and Rhianna arrived, Allisandra, Craven, and Lysette were in the back garden. Allisandra had made a small play area in the middle with benches surrounding it. Lysette was playing as Allisandra and Craven chatted.
When Kevin and Rhianna walked up, Allisandra stood up. “Is something wrong?” After Kevin shook his head, she relaxed. “Would you like some tea? Or something to eat?”
The Rambling Spy Page 41
