The Rambling Spy

by Mackenzie Morgan

  “I don’t know. That’s why we’re waiting for Cryslyn.”

  About that time Chris gave a quick knock and opened the door for Cryslyn.

  “You wanted to see me?” Cryslyn asked as she walked in and sat down. “Hi, Rigel. When did you get back?”

  “I don’t think I’m back yet.” Rigel held up the key. “I’m here to find out what to do next.”

  “And that’s where you come in,” Kevin said to Cryslyn. “Mikos and Devron, the two men Kitridge was tracking, had a wagon full of goods. They’re in Landoryn now and won’t be coming back. What should we do with their stuff?”

  “Are you planning to return it to them? Or reimburse them in some way?”

  Kevin shook his head. “No, they’ve gotten everything out of Camden they’re going to. We don’t owe them a thing.”

  Cryslyn didn’t ask questions. “Then we could sell it and use the money to replace some of the money we used tracking them. We haven’t paid Kitridge everything we owe him yet.”

  “Can you handle that?” Kevin asked.

  Cryslyn looked at Rigel. “Where’s the wagon?”

  “Lander's Point.”

  Cryslyn nodded and turned to Kevin. “I can probably take care of it this morning.” Then she looked back at Rigel. “You’re not planning to ride the horses back, are you?”

  Rigel shook his head. “That’s why we went to Lander's Point. I thought you might be able to sell them back to the guy you bought them from.”

  “More borrowed than bought, but he’ll be glad to get them back.”

  “What’s Kitridge planning to do?” Kevin asked. “Are they going to head home from there or do they want us to take them?”

  “He said he wanted to get back as soon as possible, so I assume he’d like for you to take them.”

  “What about his horses?” Cryslyn asked.

  “I haven’t asked him about that.”

  Cryslyn stood up. “Give me a few minutes to let Serra know I’ll be out of the castle. This will be easier to handle if I go down there.”

  Kevin nodded. “Rigel, is there anything you need to do before you go back?”

  “I’d like to see Sensei Darrell for a moment.”

  “Meet me at my office when you’re done,” Cryslyn said. Then she looked back at Kevin. “Anything else?”

  “One thing.” Kevin looked at Rigel. “Before you take Kitridge and Zara home, bring them here. I want to thank them in person for following those two all over the place.”

  “And Sister Agnes wants to thank Zara for those letters,” Chris added.

  After Rigel and Cryslyn left, Chris frowned. “Wonder why he wanted to see Darrell?”

  Kevin shrugged. “Maybe he’s looking for another job.”

  ~~~~

  After lunch, Kevin went to his office and settled down to tackle the messages he’d been ignoring for the past few days. Two hours later, when there was a knock on his door, he leaned back and called out, “Come in, and please have an emergency that will get me out of here!”

  Rigel laughed as he opened the door. “Sorry, no emergency. Just returning your key.”

  “Was Cryslyn able to get everything taken care of?”

  Rigel nodded.

  “Good. Tell Kitridge and Zara to come on in.”

  “Cryslyn took them to the dining room to get something to eat.”

  Kevin nodded. “I assume they’ll want to go home after they eat?”

  “Actually Zara asked me to ask you if it would be all right for them to stay in Milhaven for a few days before heading home. Doreen’s told her so much about the people around here she’d like to meet some of them.”

  Kevin smiled. “We’d be happy to have them. Tell Cryslyn to get a room ready.”

  “If it’s all right with you, Doreen invited them to stay with her. She has a couple of extra bedrooms upstairs.”

  “Just make sure Doreen takes Zara to see Sister Agnes. I’ll never hear the end of it if Zara’s in Milhaven and Sister Agnes doesn’t get a chance to talk to her.”

  “I’ll take care of it myself. Now, unless you need me for something else, I’ll get a buggy and take them to Doreen’s as soon as they finish lunch.”

  Kevin nodded. “Let me know when they’re ready to go home.”

  ~~~~

  When Kevin and Nikki got back to the office after dinner, Rigel and Chris were waiting for him. Nikki ran over to Rigel to say hello. While Rigel ruffled her fur, Kevin asked, “What’s up?”

  “Rigel has something to tell you,” Chris said with a nod towards Rigel.

  Kevin looked at Rigel and raised his eyebrows.

  Rigel patted Nikki’s head. “First of all, I’d like to say how much I’ve enjoyed working for you. It’s been a real honor.”

  Kevin frowned.

  “I’ve been a guard all of my adult life, and not being one is going to be strange, but I feel it’s the right thing to do. This afternoon, after I got back from Doreen’s, I talked to Cpt. Kort and resigned my post.”

  Kevin looked at Chris and then back at Rigel. “Why?”

  “Because guards have to live in the barracks, and I can’t do that anymore. Doreen and I are married.”

  Kevin shook his head. “No! You two cannot be married, not yet.”

  “We made it official while we were gone. When we signed the registers at the inns, we signed into the same room under our own names. That makes us married.”

  Kevin shook his head more vigorously. “No. Not yet you’re not. No one around here will know what happened in Brighthaven unless you tell them, and you can’t do that.”

  Rigel frowned. “I’m confused. Before we went to Brighthaven you said if I loved her I needed to find another job and marry her. That’s what I did. I talked to Sensei Darrell this morning. I’m going to work with him.”

  “That’s all well and good, but you can’t let anyone know you’re married.”

  “Why not?!”

  “Because everyone around here has been waiting for you two to get married for two years! Every time I see Rhianna she wants to know if you’ve asked her yet. Folks around here have been planning the party they’re going to have when you finally marry her for over a year, and I’m not going to let you cheat them out of it. And if Rhianna misses seeing you two sign the register, my life won’t be worth living. No, you’re not married yet, but you can definitely ask her and get things started. In fact, Rhianna’s got the weekend off. I’m picking her up Saturday morning. You can get married Saturday.” Then he looked at Chris. “Do you think they could pull the party together by then?”

  “I’m sure of it, especially if Cryslyn gets involved.”

  “Good, it’s settled then. You can get married Saturday.”

  Rigel’s mouth had fallen open during Kevin’s rant. He slowly closed it and said, “But I’ve packed my stuff and loaded it on the wagon. She’s expecting me to move in tonight.”

  Kevin took off his key to Terah and handed it to Chris. “Go get her.”

  After Chris left, Kevin turned back to Rigel. “You can stay here, at the castle, as our guest until this weekend. Or you could stay with Darrell and Serra. That might be better. It would give you and Darrell a chance to get you settled into your new job while you’re still up here and single.”

  “Only I’m not single anymore.”

  “As far as the people of Milhaven are concerned, you are. And so is Doreen.” Kevin frowned. “Any chance she might be pregnant?”

  Rigel’s face went bright red. “We can’t be sure but not as far as we know.”

  “Good,” Kevin said. “But I doubt anyone would care if she was.”

  “I feel like we’re lying to our friends,” Rigel said, raking his fingers through his hair.

  Kevin didn’t answer for a moment. “I guess you could tell people you got married while you were gone, but you still need to wait to sign the register and move in with her until they have time to get the party together, and until Rhianna can get here.” When Rig
el didn’t answer, Kevin said, “Let’s see what Doreen says.”

  A couple of moments later, Chris got back with Doreen. As soon as she stepped out of the energy field, Doreen said, “Chris said you need to talk to me. What’s happened now?”

  “You’re married,” Kevin said.

  Doreen’s forehead knotted. “And that’s a problem because?”

  “Because everyone in town loves you two and wants to be there when you finally get married so they can celebrate with you, and you went off and got married without them! That’s why it’s a problem!”

  Doreen bit her lips to keep from smiling. “Oh. Any idea what we can do about it?”

  “Well, how many people have you told that you’re married?”

  “You do realize I’ve only been home about two hours, don’t you? During that time, I’ve had to unpack, sort through a pile of stuff on my desk, and check on things around the house. I haven’t had time to take a deep breath, much less tell anyone we’re married. Kitridge and Zara know but I can tell them not to say anything.” Then she looked at Rigel. “Have you told anyone?”

  Rigel nodded. “Sensei Darrell and Cpt. Kort, and Alek of course.”

  “All right, we can handle that,” Kevin said. “They know how to keep their mouths shut, but we’ll need to tell them to keep it to themselves for now.”

  “I’ll handle that,” Chris said as he turned to go.

  Before he could make it out the door, Kevin said, “And tell Darrell he needs to put Rigel up until Saturday. He’s already moved out of the barracks. It would stir up too many questions for him to move back in.”

  Chris nodded and left.

  “So, what’s your plan?” Doreen asked.

  “How about getting married this weekend? Saturday to be precise. Rhianna will kill us both if she misses it.”

  “She’s off this weekend?”

  Kevin nodded.

  “Sounds good to me.” Doreen looked at Rigel. “Want to get married this weekend?”

  “As long as we end up married, I don’t care.”

  Doreen nodded. “I’ll let Blair know when I get back. She’ll probably do most of the cooking.”

  Kevin shook his head. “There’ll be too many people for one person to do it all. Miranda will talk to her and they can divide up the work. Most of our staff will be there. She can set out cold platters for those who aren’t.”

  Doreen nodded again. “I’ll let Ainsley know tomorrow when I take Zara and Kitridge into town.”

  Kevin laughed. “She’ll see to it that word gets around.”

  Doreen looked at Rigel. “Will you see Fenway about a couple of barrels of scog?”

  “I will,” Kevin said. “Consider it my wedding gift.”

  “Thank you,” Doreen said. “That’s nice of you.”

  “I owe the two of you more than a couple of barrels of scog for roaming around Brighthaven for me.”

  Rigel smiled for the first time since he’d walked in. “The way I see it, we owe you for that trip.”

  Doreen grinned. “I agree. I had the best time of my life.”

  Kevin smiled and leaned back in his chair. “Well, unless there’s something else, you two need to get out of here. You have a wedding to plan.”

  ~~~~

  When Kevin picked Rhianna up in Crinsor Run Saturday morning, he asked her if there was anything she wanted to do over the weekend.

  “Nothing in particular. Why?”

  “We’ve been invited to a wedding this afternoon. Want to go?”

  “I guess so. Who’s getting married?”

  “Rigel and Doreen.”

  Rhianna grinned from ear to ear as she grabbed Kevin’s arm. “Then why are we still here? What are you waiting for? Come on! Let’s go!”

  Chapter 67

  Trendon

  On Saturday, the twenty-fifth of June, one month to the day ahead of the deadline Rolan had set, Gildan rode through Trendon on his way to the castle. He left his horse at the stable and walked across the front courtyard. In the two years he’d been gone the place hadn’t changed a bit. The same bare patches of ground surrounded the same scrawny bushes that had been struggling to survive when he’d left. He shook his head as he climbed the steps that led to the main entrance.

  “State your business,” one of the door guards barked as he stepped in front of the door, blocking Gildan’s path.

  Gildan looked the guard over, head to toe. “You’re new.”

  “Your business!”

  “I’m here to see Sorcerer Rolan, but I’d like to speak with Cpt. Yardner first.”

  “Your name?”

  “Gildan.”

  The second door guard slipped inside while the first continued to block the door. For ten minutes Gildan was kept waiting until the second guard returned, nodded at the first, and said, “Cpt. Yardner will see you now. Follow me.”

  As the first guard stepped away, the second opened the door and stepped inside, holding it open for Gildan.

  “That’s all right. I know where his office is,” Gildan said as they started down the hall.

  The second guard didn’t answer, just kept walking beside him until they reached the captain’s office. Then he opened the door, said, “Gildan, sir,” and stepped to the side.

  After Cpt. Yardner dismissed the guard, he motioned Gildan to a seat. “I wasn’t expecting you until next month. Were you able to complete your assignment?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good. He’ll be pleased to see you then. Have you had lunch?”

  Gildan shook his head.

  “Get something to eat and then meet me back here. I’ll let him know you’ve arrived.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to unpack and change clothes before I report to him. I imagine my bed’s been assigned to someone else by now.”

  “I’m sure it has,” Cpt. Yardner agreed. “Leave your horse at the stable and bring your pack in here. I’ll have a guest room prepared for you. When you’re ready to make your report, come back here.”

  “Thank you.”

  Two hours later, Gildan’s horse had been brushed, fed, and put out to pasture, and he had washed up, put on clean clothes, and eaten. He slipped his money pouch in his pocket, picked up his journal, and went back to Cpt. Yardner’s office. The door was open, so he tapped on the doorframe to get the captain’s attention and then walked in.

  “Ready?” Cpt. Yardner asked as he stood up.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Come with me.”

  When they got to Rolan’s office, Cpt. Yardner knocked on the door, opened it, said, “Gildan’s here, sir,” and then stepped back.

  “Come.” Rolan gestured for Gildan to enter. “I hear you were able to complete the task I assigned you.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You found them all?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Excellent.” Then Rolan looked at Cpt. Yardner. “That will be all.”

  After Cpt. Yardner left, Rolan asked, “You can take me to each of their houses?”

  “If you wish.”

  “And you observed them for a month? And made note of their routines?”

  “Yes, sir,” Gildan held up his journal, “but in some cases I was there over a year ago. Things may have changed since then.”

  “Possibly, but probably not by much.” Rolan paused. “I want you to take me to each of their houses. I think it would be best if we went after midnight, when they’re sure to be asleep.”

  “As you wish.”

  “Leave your notes with me and meet me here at midnight.”

  “Yes, sir.” Gildan put his journal on Rolan’s desk and left.

  ~~~~

  At precisely midnight Gildan knocked on Rolan’s office door. As the sorcerer bellowed for him to enter, Gildan took a deep breath and opened the door. Ever since he’d left the sorcerer’s office earlier, he’d had a bad feeling about that night. He’d considered slipping out of the castle, grabbing his horse, and getting out
of Trendon, but he kept telling himself he’d put too much into it to duck out now when that box of coins was all but in his hands. He’d decided if he still felt uneasy when they got back, he’d leave then.

  Gildan had dressed in dark clothes so as not to be seen, but Rolan had taken it even farther. He was dressed totally in black, from his boots to the cap on his head and gloves on his hands.

  Rolan gave Gildan the once over and nodded. “You’ll do.” Then he took off a chain that had been under his tunic and held it up to Gildan. “Are you familiar with the Keys to Terah?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Have you ever used one?”

  “No, sir.”

  Rolan explained how the key worked, put one hand on Gildan’s arm, and held out his key. “Take me to the first house you went to. Her back garden would be a good place to start.”

  Gildan concentrated on Allisandra’s house, turned the key, and they were on their way.

  Rolan had Gildan take him around in the same order he’d gone. He observed Danyelle’s house from the same blind Gildan had used, Kyle’s from the spot where Gildan had made camp, and Dayed’s from right outside his workshop. At each spot, Rolan took the time to look around, familiarize himself with the area, and burn the memory of the location into his brain.

  Shortly before three, they finished up at Shadron’s ranch. Gildan took them to a spot in one of the pastures where they had a clear view of the house but were nowhere near any of the buildings. Rolan looked around, put his hand on Gildan’s arm, and turned the key.

  When they emerged from the energy field, Gildan was confused. He’d expected to be back in Rolan’s office, but they were in the middle of nowhere. There was barely enough light to make out the lay of the land. He didn’t know where he was, but he knew he wasn’t anywhere near Trendon. It appeared to be a flat stretch between mountains, but not a valley as much as a small plain. There were bushes and grasses, but there was nothing much higher than mid-thigh. And there were several barren areas of what looked like scorched land scattered around the field.

  A cold knot of fear settled in Gildan’s chest as he realized he was standing in the sorcerer’s killing field, and there was only one logical reason for Rolan to have brought him there.