Kevin nodded. “Good luck.”
~~~~
While Kevin and Chris were eating breakfast Wednesday morning, Steve walked in, set a folder on the table in front of Kevin, and sat down.
“What’s that?” Kevin nodded towards the folder.
“A few more sketches, slightly altered.”
Kevin opened the folder and smiled as he looked through sketches of Mikos and Devron with beards, mustaches, and both. There were other sketches of them with shaggy, shoulder length hair, closely cropped hair, and no hair. After he’d gone through them, he handed the folder to Chris and nodded. “Good idea.”
“We thought they might help,” Steve said as he stood up.
“We’ll get them to Kitridge this morning,” Kevin said. “Thanks for doing that.”
“You’re welcome. Let us know if you need any more.”
Chris continued looking through the sketches. “You know, he could have been a police sketch artist.”
“I know. I’m glad he came with us,” Kevin said.
“Me too, and not just for this.” Chris closed the folder. “So, who takes these to Kitridge?”
“Do you know where they live?”
Chris nodded.
“Then you take them, and while you’re there, see if they know where they’re heading first. I want to know where to start looking if we need to find them for any reason.”
Chris finished his coffee and held his hand out for the key. As soon as Kevin handed it to him, he stood up. “Meet you back in the office.”
Chapter 44
Darrell Makes a Change
Darrell spent February juggling his and Rhianna’s classes. By the end of the month, he’d come to the conclusion there was no way he could train the guards, teach self-defense to the castle staff, and do all the paperwork he had to do as Captain of the Guard. Something had to go, and the only thing he was doing that he didn’t want to do was paperwork.
While he was working with the guard Friday morning, he made the decision to resign as Captain of the Guard and become a full-time instructor. He’d agreed to be Captain of the Guard until Kevin got to know the other guards well enough to find someone else. It had been nearly two years. Time to find someone else.
And there was another reason for resigning his position. That little interlude with Serra’s grandmothers had fanned a flame that had already ignited. He was pretty sure she felt the same way, but since policy prohibited any type of romance as long as he was a guard and she was on the housekeeping staff, she was determined to keep him at arm’s length. It was time to get rid of that barrier.
On his way back from lunch, Darrell stopped by Kevin’s office. “Is he in?” he asked Chris as soon as he walked in.
Chris nodded. “Need to see him?”
“And you too.”
Five minutes later, after they were seated in Kevin’s office, Darrell said, “It’s time for you to name a new Captain of the Guard.”
For a moment no one spoke, then Kevin asked Darrell why.
“Several reasons, but the main one is I don’t have time to do it anymore. Now that Rhianna’s gone, I’ve got her classes as well as my own, and we’ve put the townspeople off far too long. We need to get a couple of classes for them started. There’s no way I can keep up with all of it anymore.”
“Couldn’t some of your guards take over the basic classes?” Chris asked.
“They could, but they shouldn’t have to. They’re already working full shifts as guards and spending at least ten hours a week on the practice field. They don’t need anything else added or they’ll burn out, like I’m going to if I don’t drop something, and the only thing I’m willing to give up is Captain of the Guard. I’ll still work with the guard and coach them, but I don’t want to do the paperwork anymore. Let someone else draw up schedules, requisition supplies, and decide which guards are ready to handle the more critical assignments. Before long someone’s going to need to train at least one new bodyguard, possibly more. I can do that if I’m not tied to a desk. You wouldn’t believe how many hours a week I spend on administrative stuff. Let someone else handle that part.”
“We could name an assistant for you and let them take over those duties,” Kevin argued.
Darrell shook his head. “You have an assistant, yet you’re tied to this desk for hours every day. What would you do if you didn’t have Marcus to handle the sorcerer work around Milhaven? How would you fit it all in? You couldn’t, and neither can I.” Darrell took a deep breath. “Coaching’s what I do best, so why not let me do what I do best and get someone else to do the part I hate?”
“Then let us hire someone to do the paperwork.”
Darrell shook his head again. “You can’t just hire someone. It needs to be a guard, and it needs to be someone who knows the other guards and what they’re capable of. If you’re going to push all that stuff off on someone else, the least you can do is give them the title that goes with it. Name them Captain of the Guard. Let them have the authority and respect of that position as well as the responsibility.”
“But who?”
“Several guards have the experience, but the one I’d pick is Kort. He’s held every post on the guard except bodyguard, and I’ve worked out with him. He’s perfectly capable of handling that position too, but since Rigel and Alek have been doing it for years, there hasn’t been an opening. That’s going to change soon, but you don’t need Kort in that position. You need him in the office. He knows more about what’s involved in running the Guard than anyone else, including me. I don’t know what I’d have done if he hadn’t been there to help me.”
“I don’t want to lose you, Darrell,” Kevin said.
“You won’t be losing me. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be here, coaching, doing the one thing I’ve always wanted to do, the one thing I’m good at.”
Kevin bit his lips. “You’d need a rank, something to say you’re in charge of the practice field, the training. Any ideas on that?”
Darrell nodded. “Some of the soldiers have said they want to learn some of the techniques I’ve been teaching, so I need to be separate from the Guard and the Army. Not part of either one, but free to work with both as well as civilians. So none of the usual ranks will work. What about Sensei? I doubt anyone on Terah has ever heard of it, so we could use it as the title for the head instructor.”
”Isn’t that what it means on Earth?” Chris asked.
Darrell shrugged. “Depends on who you ask. But it would work here. I could be Sensei Darrell. No one above me but you, no one under me. Just me.”
Kevin raised his eyebrows. “And Rhianna. She has every intention of picking her classes back up when she gets back.”
“I know, and as far as I’m concerned, she can use any title she wants. What are they calling her at that school in North Amden?”
“I have no idea. That never came up when we were talking about it.” Then Kevin sighed. “You really want to do this?”
Darrell nodded. “I never wanted to be in charge, you know that, but I understood why you needed me to do it. But you don’t need me there anymore. It’s time for me to move on, to play to my strengths, and my strengths are in coaching.”
Neither Kevin nor Chris said anything for a moment so Darrell sighed. “And there is one other reason. I need to be like Marcus, separate, not part of the castle staff. He gets paid through the castle, but he’s not staff. He’s an independent consultant. That’s what I need to be. And if you don’t mind, I’d like to build a little house near here.”
Kevin frowned. “Why?”
“Well, if I’m not Captain of the Guard I can’t stay where I am. The new Captain will need those quarters. I won’t need much, at least not at first, a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and a room I can use as an office.”
“Back to my question,” Kevin said. “Why? I’m sure Cryslyn could set you up with living quarters as well as an office here in the castle. Why do you want to move out?”
�
�Because I want to date Serra.”
“I can’t say that comes as a big surprise,” Kevin said. “You’ve been interested in her ever since the two of you worked on the playground, but why do you need to move?”
“Because there’s a policy about staff members seeing each other socially,” Chris said. “I think the way they put it is no courting.”
“So we change the policy,” Kevin said.
“No, it’s a good policy,” Darrell said. “Miranda and Cryslyn both bring in lots of women as staff members. Some stay a month, six months, a year, and some stay for a lifetime. But the short term ones are usually young and easily infatuated. You don’t want them taken advantage of, even accidentally. I’m not saying any of the guards are perverts or anything like that. But it’s safer for everyone involved to keep that policy in place. Keeps the misunderstandings that go along with casual flirtations down.”
“He has a point,” Chris said.
Kevin nodded. “Okay. When do you want to hand over the reins?”
“I was thinking Monday, the first week of March. And let’s make it a clean break. I don’t need to serve a notice. I’m not going anywhere. Cpt. Lawrence and I are both here, easily available in case your new Captain has questions.”
“And you think it should be Kort?” Kevin asked.
“He would be my pick.”
“All right. Go get him and let’s see what he says.”
Chapter 45
Spring Arrives
Monday evening, shortly after dark, Kevin walked into the main office and slumped down in the chair next to Chris’s desk.
“What happened?” Chris asked, setting his pen aside. “Why are you back so early?”
Kevin shook his head. “Nikki and Shelley played until it got dark, and I don’t feel comfortable taking Nikki inside. Neisha always offers to fix me some refreshments, insists on sitting with me while Nikki and Shelley play, and in general tries to keep me entertained. I know there are other things she’d rather be doing, but she feels like I’m there for her daughter so I’m her responsibility.” Kevin sighed. “I miss her Chris, more than I ever imagined.”
“I take it you’re talking about Rhianna.” Chris leaned back in his chair.
Kevin nodded. “It’s like there’s this great big emptiness inside of me now, a hole she filled up, and now that she’s gone, it’s so empty it aches. And nothing I do seems to help.” Kevin raked his hand through his hair. “Every day, all day long, little things happen, things I know she’d like or get a laugh over, so I make a mental note to tell her, only to realize I can’t. She’s not here anymore. When I’m walking Nikki, especially when we’re in the woods, I find myself reaching for her hand.” Kevin paused. “Used to, when I reached for her hand, it was just there, like she was reaching for mine at that same instant. I never realized it until it didn’t happen, till her hand wasn’t there.” Kevin shook his head. “She’s only been gone a month, Chris. One month. How am I ever going to make it through two years?”
Chris sighed. “You are well and truly hooked, my friend.” When Kevin didn’t say anything, Chris sat up. “You need a distraction, something else to think about, a change of routine.”
“Such as?”
“I don’t know, maybe a hobby.”
Kevin snorted. “The only thing I ever did that might be considered a hobby was playing computer games. Don’t think that’s going to work here.”
“No, but maybe you could take a more active role in Landis’s training. That might provide some distraction, and with the time difference, it would fit into your schedule. You’re usually too busy during the day to dwell on it, but you’re used to spending your evenings with her.”
Kevin tilted his head to the side as he considered what Chris had said. “You have a point. And if I go after dinner, it’ll be morning there. That’s not a half bad idea.”
“And between us, Marshall and I can take care of Nikki while you’re gone.”
Kevin shook his head. “No, she misses Rhianna as much as I do. She can go with me. She’d have forests to run through, a beach to romp on, and there are plenty of children who would be glad to keep an eye on her.” Kevin’s eyes lit up as he thought about it. “And if I leave one of the keys with you, I won’t have to worry about being out of touch. You can come get me if there’s an emergency.” Kevin nodded. “Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I like that idea. I’ll start tomorrow night.”
Chris nodded. “I’ll keep your evenings clear.”
“And let Kort know there won’t be any need to have a bodyguard standing by after dinner anymore. If an emergency comes up, you can let them round up someone while you come get me.”
“I’ll tell him, for all the good it’ll do.”
Kevin stood up and stretched. “Think I’ll head up and get ready for bed. Tomorrow’s going to be a busy day.”
~~~~
Tuesday evening, as soon as he finished eating, Kevin went out to the stable to get Nikki. “Has she eaten?” he asked Marshall while he petted her.
“Ten minutes ago. She’s good to go.”
“Thank you.” Kevin turned to Nikki and told her to lie down. Once she was down, he put an energy ball around her, turned his key, and left for Elsewhere.
Kevin had decided to go to the grounds in front of the common building in hopes of finding some children for Nikki. As soon as they got there, Logan, one of Synead’s boys, ran over, dropped to his knees, and started petting her.
“Is he your dog?” Logan asked without looking up. “What’s his name?”
Kevin smiled. “Her name’s Nikki and she needs someone to keep her company while I step inside. You up for the job?”
Logan looked at Kevin. “Huh?”
“Would you keep an eye on her while I go inside? I won’t be gone long.”
“Oh, yeah,” Logan said, still rubbing Nikki. “You can stay as long as you like. Can she fetch?”
Kevin pulled a rope out of his pocket. “Here. This is one of her toys. She’ll fetch it if you throw it, but she also likes to play tug-of-war, so don’t expect her to give it up easily.”
Logan nodded as he took the rope. “Come on, girl,” he said and ran off towards the side of the clearing.
Kevin went up the steps, but before he could open the door, Cpt. Garen opened it. “Come on in. Can I get you something? Coffee maybe?”
“I wouldn’t mind a cup of coffee, but I don’t need anything else.” Kevin followed the captain inside. “Know where Warren is?”
Cpt. Garen poured Kevin some coffee. “He and Landis left half an hour ago. I’m not sure where they went though.”
Kevin nodded. “I’ll find them, but first, if you’re not busy, I’d like to talk to you.”
“Of course.” Cpt. Garen led the way to the little room he used as an office, motioned Kevin to a chair, and sat down behind his desk.
“Is Landis still determined to challenge Rolan?” Kevin asked.
“As far as I know.”
“If she challenges Rolan, she could end up in charge of a whole province without knowing how anything works. I know all of you will do whatever you can to help her out, but your focus needs to be security, not the administrative end of running a province.” When Cpt. Garen nodded, Kevin continued. “I’m going to bring my head page, Ariel, out this summer. He knows more about running a seated sorcerer’s office than anyone I know, including me. I don’t know how we’d have made it through the first year without him.”
“I’m surprised you’re willing to give him up.”
“I don’t want to, but he’s nineteen. He should have already moved on, but he stayed to help us out. He’s been training his replacement since the beginning of the year but we’re going to miss him. Anyway, he’s agreed to work with Landis. I’m not sure how your men will feel about it but I don’t want anyone to resent him.”
Cpt. Garen smiled. “If anything, they’ll be relieved. I haven’t wanted to say anything, and neither has Warren, but she’s
used to the way elves do things. We’ve been a little concerned about it, but it’s not our place to question her. We’re her guard. Our job is to take care of her and support her, no matter what.”
Kevin nodded. “I understand, but how will your men feel when Ariel argues with her, tells her she’s wrong. My guard doesn’t take it well when someone argues with me, even when it’s Chris.”
“If she was the Seated Sorcerer of Brendolanth, we probably wouldn’t like it, but she’s a student, and although we’re not going to try to teach her, we do recognize that someone needs to. And I’ll talk to them. I’ll tell them that, same as Warren, Ariel works for you and is under your orders.”
“That’s a good way to put it. Ariel’s young in years, but old in experience. I doubt I could find anyone who understands the non-sorcerer part of being a seated sorcerer any better than he does.”
“He’ll be a welcome addition to the island. Don’t worry about my men. They’ll be glad to see him.”
“Good, and could you keep this to yourself for now? I want to tell Landis myself, but I don’t want to do it yet.” When Cpt. Garen nodded, Kevin stood up. “I’ll let you know when you can tell your men. Now I need to find my apprentice and see how the magic’s going.”
~~~~
The next Monday night, there was a big map on Kevin’s bedroom wall when he got back from Elsewhere. “What’s this?” he asked as Chris came through the connecting door with two mugs of scog.
“A map.”
Kevin rolled his eyes as Chris sat down on the couch. Then he sat down across from Chris and picked up his scog. “And why is there a map on my wall?”
“I thought you might want to keep up with Kitridge’s travels. Sister Agnes got a letter from Zara today. She brought it up right after you left for Elsewhere.”
“Where’s the letter?”
“Sister Agnes has it. It was a newsy letter from one woman to another, full of the odd little details women tell each other, like stuff they had for sale at different dry goods stores, the curtains, or lack thereof, in the inn rooms, and so on. She even talked about what they had to eat in the different taverns.”
The Rambling Spy Page 47
