The Rambling Spy

by Mackenzie Morgan

  “And it’s close to both you and Landis, which is a plus. Let’s use it.”

  “Is this a private conversation?” Landis asked. “Or can I join in?”

  Kevin smiled. “I was asking Warren if I could borrow you for a little while this morning.”

  “And what did he say?”

  Warren laughed. “I’ll be at home when you get back.”

  Kevin held his arm out to Landis and took out his key.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I thought we’d go to Rainbow Valley. I like those chairs.”

  A few moments later, they were in the sitting room in the cave in Rainbow Valley. As Landis sat down, she asked, “Is everyone all right?”

  “Everyone’s fine, as far as I know. Why?”

  “You wanted to talk to me in private. Warren’s waiting for me in his cave rather than on the plateau…” Landis shrugged. “Made me wonder what bad news you had for me.”

  “No bad news. I want to talk to you about the future.”

  Landis nodded.

  “You’re still determined to challenge Rolan. Right?”

  “You’re not going to try to talk me out of it again, are you? Because if you are, you’re wasting your time and we might as well go back.”

  Kevin shook his head. “No. That decision’s yours to make. What I want to talk to you about is what happens afterwards. You realize if you defeat him, you’ll be the Seated Sorcerer of Brendolanth, don’t you?”

  Landis nodded.

  “I’m not sure how much you know about me, but, like you, I was raised in seclusion, separated from all of this. I didn’t find out I had magic in my blood until Badec got sick, much less that I was his son and next in line to become Master Sorcerer. I had never been around a sorcerer and had no idea what they did, much less what being the Master Sorcerer entailed. Fortunately, Laryn realized how unprepared I was and arranged a tutor, someone to teach me how a province works and who’s responsible for what. That’s what I want to do for you.”

  “Who?”

  “Do you remember my head page, Ariel?”

  Landis nodded.

  “I’m going to bring him out to the island. I want him to explain how to set up and run the main office, and what’s involved in being a seated sorcerer. When we first got there, we’d have been lost without him.”

  “If he’s so good, why aren’t you keeping him?”

  “If we could, we would, but he’s nineteen. Most pages leave before they’re that old, and he probably would have too if I hadn’t been such a novice. He’s spent the last few months training his replacement.”

  “Do all provinces operate the same way?” Landis asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Then wouldn’t it make more sense to get someone who worked for my father to teach me?”

  “Maybe, but we don’t have access to any of them. If Robyn could disappear for a while without anyone noticing, he could help with the main government, but he never dealt with the office. I doubt he has any idea what type of stuff comes across a sorcerer’s desk. Ariel does.”

  “My father’s second died when he did. And I think his governor was in an accident shortly afterwards,” Landis said slowly as she tried to think of someone. Then she shrugged. “All right. I guess you’re right. So, when do we start?”

  “Mid-July. I want him to stay at the castle through the ministers’ conference.”

  “Ministers’ conference?”

  “See what I mean? There’s a lot more to running a province than magic, although you need to keep those skills sharp, too. You never know when an ice storm or some other natural disaster’s going to hit.”

  Landis laughed. “That much I figured out for myself.” Then after a moment, she said, “I heard someone at the castle mention that you run through drills every morning before breakfast. Is that why? To keep your magic skills sharp?”

  Kevin nodded. “And I work out with Glendymere three times a week.”

  “Do all sorcerers do that? The drills, I mean. I know Glendymere doesn’t work with all of them.”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never talked to any of the others about it, but practicing your skills every day is a good habit to get into. I may not use magic at all for a month or more, but then a tornado hits somewhere and I’m using everything I’ve got for twenty-four hours straight. When you’re called on for help, you have to go, it’s part of the job. And if it’s bad enough that they need your help, lives usually depend on it. You can’t afford to be rusty.”

  Landis nodded. “So be ready.”

  “Be ready,” Kevin repeated. Then he stood up and stretched. “Actually ‘Be Ready’ is a good motto for a sorcerer, especially a seated sorcerer. You never know what may happen or what you may be called on to do, and it’s not always magic either. I’ve had to speak at banquets, answer a barrage of questions from a bunch of irate ministers, settle contract disputes, fire sorcerers, organize a competition for district sorcerer, even explain to a father that he could not force his daughter to marry someone against her will, all kinds of things.” He took out his key and held out his hand to help her up. “I don’t think anything sums up the job better than ‘Be Ready.’ And that’s why I want Ariel to tutor you. So that by the time you get there, you will be ready.”

  ~~~~

  When Kevin got to his room the next Wednesday night, he saw a flag stuck where Richmond, Virginia should be. “What’s this?” he asked, pointing towards the flag.

  Chris was on the couch with some papers in his lap. “You might say it’s confirmation that Kitridge is on the right track.”

  “We heard from him again?”

  “Letter arrived this morning. Sister Agnes brought it by this evening.” Chris jotted something down and set the papers to the side. “Zara’s good. If they get tired of being trackers, we need to hire her, especially if we need any spy work done.”

  “King Merdin might object to that. He considers himself our spy.”

  “True, but she’s still good. She never mentioned Mikos or Devron or that they were looking for anyone in her letter. She said a man came into the tavern while they were eating dinner. She had a feeling she’d seen him before, maybe six weeks ago. She thought his name was Aiden, or maybe Terrance. She couldn’t be sure, but if it was the man she remembered, he was traveling south, to someplace warm, same as they were. And then she went on about other stuff.”

  Kevin frowned. “I must be missing something here.”

  “Sister Agnes said she and Zara talked about this when Rigel took her down to the clinic that night. Apparently the tavern owner in Clearwater thinks Mikos and Devron passed through town headed south about six weeks ago and they were using the names Aiden and Terrance. He’s not positive it’s the same two men since it’s been a while, but he thinks it is.”

  Kevin nodded. “I can see that. Okay. Good. At least they’re on the right track and our guys didn’t head west to get past the mountains before heading south. I was afraid they might do that.”

  Chris shook his head. “They left right as winter was setting in. If I’d been in their shoes, I’d have headed south fast, and then, after winter was over, cut across the mountains if I wanted to be on this side, although I wouldn’t have. I know the area. The coastal plain’s a lot flatter, much easier to haul stuff on.”

  “If they really intend to go into hauling.” Kevin drank his scog. “I’m beat. Anything else we need to talk about tonight?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “Good. Let’s get some sleep.”

  ~~~~

  When Gildan rode out of Stanton near the end of April, he had mixed feelings. In a way he hated to leave. He’d worked for several farmers on a rotating basis and one of them had a second house on his land, one that his parents had lived in. Although it had been unoccupied for several years, it had been kept up. In exchange for two day’s work a week, he had full use of the house. First time in his life he’d lived in a house he could consider his, and he
’d liked it. Giving it up was hard, which is why he’d stayed longer than he’d planned.

  He’d managed to take one day off a week to spy on Danyelle and her family, for all the good it did. He couldn’t see any more going on there that would interest Rolan than had gone on at Allisandra’s. At least at Allisandra’s people were coming and going to see her for plants and gardening advice. Danyelle lived far enough out that visitors were few and far between. For all practical purposes, she was a farm wife, tending her house, children, and gardens.

  As for Landis, he’d asked a couple of people in one of the taverns if they’d seen any red-headed young women in the area, but no one had seen any redheads at all, regardless of age. But his questions drew the attention of several mothers who were searching for husbands for their daughters. By the end of the day, he had enough dinner invitations to take care of his evening meals for a couple of weeks. Never before had he been so sought after.

  At first it was fun, but then it became tedious. He couldn’t even make a supply run to the dry goods store without being swamped by well-meaning mothers trying to set him up with their daughters. Getting rid of them was one of the good things about getting back on the road.

  But the main reason Gildan left Stanton was he wanted to get the next two people on his list taken care of before winter set in. If his information was right, all three of Badec’s brothers lived well outside town, which meant he’d have to set up a base camp in the woods, something he didn’t mind doing as long as the weather wasn’t frigid. So, with that in mind, Gildan turned his horse towards the north and set off for his next target, Kyle, the brother who lived about as far north as you could go and still be in Camden.

  Chapter 46

  Rhianna's Weekend Off

  On the first Saturday of May, Kevin woke up before daybreak, too nervous to sleep. Rhianna finally had a weekend off. He was excited about seeing her but scared that after spending three months surrounded by elves she might want to move back to North Amden. Or worse, that she might have found someone else.

  Finally he got up, dressed, led a sleepy Nikki into Chris’s room, and went out to the grove to run through his practice routine.

  Chris woke up when Nikki jumped on the bed, and while she settled down to go back to sleep, Chris got up. After he dressed, he stepped out on the balcony and watched the light of Kevin’s magic rise and fall over the little grove. He frowned at the ragged display and went downstairs to find some breakfast.

  By the time Kevin got back to the room, Chris had set out a carafe of coffee, two mugs, and a plate of pastries.

  “What are you doing up?” Kevin asked as he sipped his coffee. “It’s barely light.”

  Chris yawned. “Nikki wasn’t in the mood to share. She pushed me right off the bed. Woke up when I hit the floor.”

  Kevin nearly spewed his coffee. “Sorry, but I didn’t want to put her in her crate this early. Marshall won’t get there for another hour.” Then he asked, “Did she really push you off the bed?”

  Chris shook his head. “She did push me over, but I needed to get up anyway.”

  “Why?”

  “So I could watch that miserable excuse for a routine this morning.” Chris took a swallow of his coffee.

  Kevin sighed. “It was a mess, wasn’t it?”

  “That it was, but at least it’s early enough that there couldn’t have been many witnesses.”

  “Just the guards,” Kevin groaned. “There goes my reputation.”

  “Don’t worry. You’ll get it back. You’ll be better tomorrow morning.”

  “Speaking of tomorrow morning,” Kevin said slowly, “I may not be here.”

  “Oh? Where will you be?”

  “I’m not sure. I thought I’d ask Rhianna what she wants to do. We may be in Crinsor Run or Elsewhere. Or maybe somewhere else.”

  Chris nodded as he picked up another pastry. “Are you going to leave me a key so I can come get you, just in case?”

  “Yeah, and I’ll let you know where we’ll be.”

  “In the meantime, I’ll keep my fingers crossed nothing comes up at the council meeting you need to pay attention to. I’m not sure how much good you’ll be today.”

  Kevin sighed again. “I really wish I didn’t have to go to that meeting. If I had my way, I’d leave right now. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve seen her?”

  Chris laughed. “In months? Weeks? Days? I think you’ve told me every day since she left.”

  “Just wait until you fall in love. See how you feel then.”

  “Never gonna happen. I’ve got too much to lose. If I tie myself down to one woman, all those pies, cakes, and pastries women bake for me would be gone. Nope. Marriage is not for me.” Then Chris stood up. “I’m going down. You coming soon?”

  Kevin poured himself another cup of coffee. “In a minute. Meet you in the office.”

  ~~~~

  Kevin couldn’t wait to get the council meeting over with so naturally nearly every sorcerer had something to say. Most of it involved bartering, but there were also a few complaints to be sorted out. As Chris collected signatures on the trade agreements, Kevin crossed his fingers and asked, “Any more business?” When no one said anything, he gave a quick nod. “Then I declare this meeting of the Council of Sorcerers adjourned and look forward to seeing you next month. Make sure you sign your agreements before you leave.”

  By the time Chris got the last signature, the room was almost empty. As the last sorcerer left, Kevin handed Chris his sash and the key to Terah. “I’ll check in with you later.”

  Chris grinned. “Have fun.”

  While Chris gathered his notes, Kevin turned his key to the Gate and left for Crinsor Run. As soon as he stepped out of the energy field in Hayden’s backyard, he heard Xantha say, “Not there. Meet us in the meadow.”

  Kevin immediately turned the key again, and a moment later he was in the meadow. The first thing he saw was Rhianna, and for a moment he couldn’t think, couldn’t move, couldn’t even breathe, all he could do was stare at her.

  “You could tell her hello,” Xantha said with a chuckle. Then he looked at Rhianna. “Doesn’t look like he’s going to snap out of it anytime soon. Guess the next move’s yours.”

  Kevin shook his head and started walking towards her. “I was beginning to think I’d never see you again.”

  “I missed you, too,” Rhianna replied as she ran into his arms. “Too long.”

  “Way too long,” Kevin whispered as his lips met hers and they sank into a deep kiss.

  Xantha waited a minute, then said, “Obviously I’m no longer needed here,” and flew away.

  A little bit later Kevin slowly lifted his head and broke the kiss. “Guess he left.”

  Rhianna chuckled and glanced around. “So tell me, what’s been going on in Milhaven? How’s Nikki? And have Rigel and Doreen gotten married yet?”

  Kevin shook his head. “Nothing much, and no, they’re not married. How are things with your trainees? Any problems?”

  “No, but it’s early yet.”

  “So, what do you want to do this weekend?”

  Rhianna hesitated. “I’d like to pick up where we left off when Chris knocked on your door, preferably without interruptions, but first I have to have lunch with my parents.”

  Kevin tried not to grin, but his efforts were futile. “I think that can be arranged.”

  “Somewhere a little less public than the castle might be nice, but be sure Chris knows where we are.”

  The grin on Kevin’s face spread from ear to ear. “I know just the place. How long before I can pick you up?”

  “Three hours should be enough.”

  “Where should I meet you?”

  “At Mother’s, but I’m going to let them think we’re going to Milhaven.”

  “We’ll go tomorrow.”

  Rhianna grinned. “I would like to drop by Doreen’s, and I want to check with Eryn and see how things are going with Laryn and Marshall.”

&n
bsp; “What time do you have to be back here?”

  “By dinner tomorrow night. I don’t have to be back at the camp until midnight.”

  Kevin nodded. “Guess I should take you to your parents’ house.”

  Rhianna shook her head. “I don’t want them to know you’re here. It might complicate matters. Xantha can take me.”

  “Are you sure he’s coming back?”

  “Be there in five minutes,” Xantha said to both of them.

  Rhianna laughed. “That mind link comes in handy sometimes. He must have been listening to us.”

  Kevin shook his head. “That mind link’s the last thing I want to think about right now.”

  “Don’t worry,” Xantha said privately to Kevin. “I won’t tell anyone.”

  Kevin ignored Xantha. “How are you going to explain my showing up later?”

  “They’ll be expecting you when I tell them I’m going to Milhaven. I don’t have time for Xantha to fly me there and back.”

  “Okay. Then I guess I should be on my way,” Kevin said as Xantha glided to the ground beside them. “See you in a little while.” Then, after a quick kiss goodbye, he turned his key and left.

  ~~~~

  Kevin didn’t make it back to the castle until 3:00. When he got to his office, he opened the door and glanced around for Chris, who was nowhere to be seen. Isak was sorting mail and Cameryn was busy writing something. “Do either of you know where Chris is?”

  “He’s with Sensei Darrell,” Isak answered. “Want me to go get him?”

  Kevin hesitated and then nodded. “Thank you. I’ll be in my office.”

  “Back in a minute.”

  Ten minutes later, Chris knocked once on Kevin’s door and then opened it. “Sorry. I wasn’t expecting the two of you back so soon.” As he shut the door, he glanced around the office. “Where is she?”

  “Crinsor Run, having lunch with her parents.”

  “And you weren’t invited?” Chris sat down.

  “No, they don’t know I was up there, at least I don’t think they do. I was in their backyard maybe ten seconds before Xantha chimed in and told me where they were.”