“You’re sure about that?” Charo asked. “You won’t change your mind after we get there?”
Kevin shook his head. “If you go, you’re making a commitment to stay until she’s trained. In return, I’m making a commitment to see to it you have what you need while you’re there.”
Charo frowned. “So it comes down to our trusting you to do what you say.”
“Same as I’m trusting you to protect my apprentice.”
Cpt. Garen spoke up. “Unless we can trust each other, this needs to end now. Any of you who have a problem trusting Myron or the rest of us needs to pull out. No hard feelings. This is a big decision. No one’s going to force anyone to go.”
Kevin nodded. “And you need to be sure your wives are behind this, too. Don’t try to push them into it. If your wife wants out, pull out. Put your family first. Now, any more questions?”
“My wife is going to ask about a chapel. We’ve got three children and she won’t agree to be too far away from a sister,” Giamen said.
Kevin paused. “There won’t be a Sister of Healing there all the time, although there is one who can come on a regular basis to check everyone out. But there will be someone there who’s been trained in a chapel and knows how to prepare and use herbs. Some of you may remember him. From what I understand he worked in the chapel in Trendon for several years while Tsareth was the sorcerer. His name is Taelor.”
Cpt. Garen raised his eyebrows. “How do you know Taelor?”
“I’m surprised the other assassins didn’t mention him,” Kevin said. “He escaped shortly after you left. He’s been with Landis for a couple of years now.”
“So he’s the slave Rolan told them to find. Wonder why they didn’t mention his name,” Cpt. Garen said.
“If Rolan’s offering a bounty for him, they’d want to keep it for themselves,” Petar said.
“You’re probably right. They didn’t ask us to help them find Landis either,” Cpt. Garen said. Then he looked at Kevin. “Taelor was good at the chapel. He could do everything the sisters could except use his hands to heal. If he’s along, we’ll be fine.”
Kevin waited to see if anyone else had any questions. When no one did, he took out his key. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave you for now. Discuss this amongst yourselves, with your families, as a group, however you wish. I’ll check back with you next Thursday to see if you have any more questions.”
“Wait a minute,” Cpt. Garen said. “I have a question. How long do we have to make a decision and get packed?”
“I’d like to take the men out around the twentieth and let them explore the area and decide what you’ll need. After you get things more or less set up, I’ll bring the women and children. But keep this in mind, once you’re there, you’re staying. There’s no looking around and changing your minds, not for you, not for your wives, not for your children. Be sure before you go.”
Cpt. Garen nodded and stood up. “Thank you, Myron. We’ll see you next week.”
~ ~ ~ ~
Friday morning when Fenway walked into the kitchen, Ainsley was covered in flour from head to toe. She was standing in front of a big mixing bowl kneading something that looked more like mashed potatoes than dough, and there was more flour on the table and floor than could possibly be in the bowl.
Fenway walked over to the stove and used a spoon to stir whatever was cooking in the big pot, but when he spooned some up, it looked more like dishwater than food. He shook off the spoon and set it back down next to the stove. Then he picked up the coffee pot from the back of the stove and poured himself a cup. It looked like muddy water. He took a sip and turned his back towards his daughter to hide his grimace.
“You don’t have to drink it,” Ainsley said. “It’s horrible.”
Fenway turned towards her and smiled. “Well, it’s not as thick or burnt as yesterday’s.”
Ainsley laughed. “Still not fit for drinking. Pour it out and get some scog.”
Fenway wrinkled his nose. Smoke was coming from somewhere. “Is something burning?”
Ainsley yelled, grabbed a thick towel, and headed for the oven. As she opened the door, smoke poured out into the room. She reached in and pulled out a loaf of burnt bread. When she tossed it on the table, it hit with a solid thunk. “Well, that was the bread for today’s lunch.”
Fenway walked towards the table and looked at the lopsided black lump. “Maybe if we cut off the burnt edges...”
Ainsley handed him a knife. “Be my guest.”
Fenway tried for several minutes to cut the bread, but he couldn’t make more than a dent in the loaf. “Maybe I need another knife, a sharper one.” He looked around the kitchen and settled on a big meat cleaver. When he whacked the loaf of bread, it broke into two pieces, both hard as rocks. Fenway stared at the two chunks. “I think I broke it.”
Ainsley shook her head.
“What are you making there, in that bowl?” Fenway asked as he tossed the blackened loaf in the garbage barrel.
“Tonight’s dinner bread.”
“Might need to keep a closer eye on it.”
Ainsley looked at her father and sighed. “This isn’t going to work and we both know it. I need to be outside, taking care of the customers, and someone who can actually cook needs to be in here.” She tossed the towel she’d used to get the bread out of the oven on the counter near the stove. “I’ve been trying to do this for two weeks and I have yet to make one thing that’s edible. I can’t even make coffee!”
Fenway put his arm around his daughter’s shoulders. “It takes time to learn how to cook. I’m sure you’ll get there.”
Ainsley shook her head again. “I don’t think so, Father. I think you need to face the fact I’m no good in here. We need to find someone else to cook.”
Fenway leaned against the flour-coated table and sighed. “I would if I could, but I can’t think of a soul. There aren’t that many good cooks around, and the good ones are married and cooking for their families. They don’t have time to work here.”
Ainsley wiped her face to catch the tears that were threatening to spill out of her eyes. “I miss Callie, a lot, and not just because she was a good cook. She was also a good friend.”
“I know.” Her father slipped his arm back around her. “Just keep trying. It’ll get better.”
Ainsley laughed. “It better, or we won’t have any customers left.” Then she gave her head a good shake, wiped her hands off, and plunged them back in the bowl.
~ ~ ~ ~
Saturday morning shortly after Kevin and Chris got to the office, Kevin handed Chris the key to Terah. “Hayley wants to go to Bridgeport. Will you take her?”
Chris slipped the key on his chain. “Sure. Where will you be?”
“At Doreen’s.”
“Why?”
“Marcus and I are meeting Rigel and several of the guards down there. Rhianna asked me about it last night. They’ve got the foundation for the barn ready and the frames for the walls. They’re hoping if Marcus and I are both there to help they can have the barn finished by nightfall.”
“Just don’t get hurt. You’re not used to doing real sorcerer stuff.” Chris laughed when Kevin rolled his eyes. “When are you leaving?”
“As soon as Marcus gets here.”
Chris nodded. “If anything urgent comes up, I’ll come get you.”
There was a quick knock on Kevin’s door and when Chris opened it, Marcus was on the other side.
“Ready to go?” Kevin asked.
Marcus nodded, so Kevin took out the gate key and motioned for Marcus to join him.
“Have fun,” Chris said as Kevin turned the key.
When Kevin and Marcus got to Doreen’s, the first thing Marcus did was look for Rigel. Kevin, on the other hand, looked for Rhianna. He spotted her talking to Theresa.
“What are you doing here?” he asked Theresa.
She pointed to a bundle on the ground beside her. “I’m on bandage duty.” She grinned. “At Hay
ley’s request.”
Kevin frowned.
“Hayley’s in Bridgeport today,” Theresa explained.
“I know.”
“And construction work frequently leads to injuries.”
“All right, but why at Hayley’s request.”
“Marcus is here. She tries to be in the area whenever he’s doing anything like this in case he gets hurt.”
“But he’s a sorcerer. Most of what he does is from a distance.”
Theresa shook her head. “Most of what you do is from a distance, but Marcus is as good a carpenter as he is a sorcerer. After he does the sorcerer bit, he picks up some tools and starts in on the other stuff. And a lot of times he ends up hurting himself. Nothing major, just minor cuts, bruises, and blisters. Anyway, she asked me if I’d cover this for her and I told her I would.”
“So you’re going to hang out all day on the off chance someone will get hurt and need patching up?”
Theresa nodded. “But I’m not sure I’d say it’s on the off chance. I’d say it’s a pretty much guaranteed outcome.”
Rhianna laughed. “I can attest to that. You could say Doreen’s house was built with sweat and blood.”
“So you might want to stay back away from the action,” Theresa said. “Chris would get upset with us if you went back in bandages.”
Before Kevin could argue, Marcus called him. They were ready to raise the frames for the walls and needed his help.
By lunchtime, the frame for the barn was up. The plan was to close in the sides, cover the roof, and put in the loft floor that afternoon. Doreen wanted a storage room built along one side, but that could be handled later, after the main building was done.
When they went back to work after lunch, Marcus and Rhianna picked up hammers and helped nail lumber to the frame. The afternoon was noisy and rather boring for Kevin as far as the construction went. All they needed him for was to lift lumber up to the roof or loft. He worked for thirty seconds, waited thirty minutes, worked another thirty seconds, and so on all afternoon. In between the times when his assistance was requested, he sat with Theresa. They gossiped a little, reminisced some, and in general enjoyed the afternoon. And contrary to Theresa’s expectations, no one got hurt.
As the sun began to set, the hammering slowed down and fell silent. The men were done, at least with the main structure. Doreen could add all the walls she wanted later, but her barn was up.
While the guards gathered their tools, Doreen and Rhianna joined Kevin and Theresa.
“Should I offer to take them to Fenway’s for dinner, my treat?” Doreen asked Myron.
Kevin wasn’t sure how to tell her they probably wouldn’t want to eat at the tavern. “Why don’t you meet them at Fenway’s this evening and buy them a round of scog? That would give everyone a chance to get cleaned up first.”
“Good idea.” Doreen headed back to where the men were packing up.
“So, are you going back to the castle now?” Theresa asked.
Kevin nodded. “Why?”
“Hayley should be back by now. I thought I’d go to Rainbow Valley for a couple of days if you’ve got time to take me.”
“When do you want to go?”
“As soon as I let Sister Agnes know and pick up my bag. I packed it this morning before I came out here.”
“Do you stay in the caves or up at the house when you go out there now?”
“In the caves, in the room I used while we were there.”
Kevin stood up and held out his hand to pull her up. “When do you want to come back?”
“Would Wednesday work?”
Kevin nodded. “I need to talk to you about a few things and that would be a perfect time.”
“About what?”
“Remember the day Cpt. Lawrence brought a man to the chapel and left him with you? The one Chris picked up?”
Theresa nodded. “You said you’d explain what that was all about later.”
“That’s what we need to talk about.”
Chapter 42
Preparations
Shortly after breakfast Monday morning, Kevin knocked on Calhoun’s door in Brystal. When Calhoun opened it, Kevin asked, “Ready to go?”
“Anytime you are.”
“Good, but I need to see Kirken first. Do you know if Maury took the position?”
Calhoun nodded. “And then he asked his girl to marry him. They’re moving in here as soon as I’m out.”
“I’m glad it all worked out. I need to sign the contract and pick up my copy. Back in a few minutes.”
Calhoun’s bagged and boxed belongings were stacked on the porch when Kevin got back. “I’m not taking any of the furniture. Most of it was here when I came and Maury’s going to need it more than I will, what with a wife and all. Will I be able to get furniture up there?”
“Darwyn will probably leave most of his too, but if you need something you can’t get up there, I’ll see that you get it.” Kevin took out his key. “Have you ever traveled by key before?”
Calhoun shook his head.
“You’ll feel a bit wobbly when we get there, probably sick on your stomach, out of breath, and dizzy. If you stand still for a bit and concentrate on breathing, you’ll be fine. Don’t try to move until the feeling passes. I’ll come back and get your stuff. Now, put your hand on my arm.” As soon as Calhoun’s hand was on his arm, Kevin turned the key and they were gone.
When they arrived outside Darwyn’s house, Calhoun doubled over and rested his hands on his knees. After a few deep breaths, he slowly stood up and stretched his back. “Takes the wind out of you, doesn’t it?”
Kevin nodded. “The first time I traveled by key, I nearly passed out. Glad I didn’t. I was going to my first council meeting.”
Calhoun’s grin was lopsided and weak, but it was there.
“If you think you’ll be all right for a few minutes, I’ll go get your stuff.”
Calhoun nodded, so Kevin turned the key and went back to Brystal. He used an outstretched hand to pick up Calhoun’s stuff, turned the key, and went back to Lormere. He put Calhoun’s bags and boxes on Darwyn’s front porch and knocked on the door.
After making the introductions, Kevin said, “I’ll leave the two of you to get acquainted. And Darwyn, are you planning to take your furniture or leave it here for Calhoun?”
Darwyn shrugged. “I don’t know what I need to take with me. I figured you’d tell me.”
“Your clothes and anything that’s important to you. As to furniture, you and Calhoun can sort that out. You can take it with you, or you can leave it here. Either way, I’ll make sure both of you have what you need.” After both men nodded, Kevin asked, “Anything else?”
“Do you know when you’re coming back to get me?” Darwyn asked.
“A week from today, but it’ll be after dinner.”
“I’ll be ready.”
Kevin looked at Calhoun. “If you and Namir can work out the contract, I’ll sign it while I’m here. Just be sure to have a copy for me to take back with me.”
Calhoun nodded.
“See you next Monday,” Kevin said as he turned the key.
~ ~ ~ ~
Tuesday evening King Merdin and Dani arrived shortly after Kevin and Nikki went upstairs. After Chris set out refreshments for everyone, Kevin asked, “So, how are things going with Garen’s men?”
King Merdin drank some of his scog. “They’ve spent a lot of time talking about it, both the good and the bad.”
“One thing you might want to know,” Dani said. “None of them has had any thoughts of harming the woman. Even those who think it might be a mistake to get involved don’t want her hurt. If they go, they’ll be there to protect her.”
“That’s good to know,” Kevin said, “but I have a question. Why do some of them think it might be a mistake to go?”
“A couple of them are worried about what Rolan might do to their families if he finds out they’re protecting her.”
“Well, it
is something to consider, but more after she’s trained than while she’s training. Until she comes back, they’ll be so isolated Rolan won’t be able to touch them.”
King Merdin nodded. “That’s the conclusion most of them came to.”
“So what other concerns do they have?”
“Access to a sister’s high on their list, especially among the women. Most of them remember the man who worked at the chapel in Trendon, and they trust him for most things, but they’re not sure it’s a good idea to be that far from a sister.”
“But they’re not that close to a sister now, are they?”
King Merdin shook his head. “Twenty miles, but they know where a sister is. They’re afraid if they’re as isolated as you say, there won’t be one within a hundred miles.”
“More like a thousand,” Chris mumbled. “Do you think they’d feel better if a sister agrees to make regular visits? As in they’d know the sister would be there every Saturday morning?”
“Probably,” King Merdin said. “It might be a good idea to have something along those lines set up before you talk to them again. I’m sure someone will bring it up. I got the feeling from a couple of the wives it might be a deciding factor. Three of them have young children, and they’re the ones who were most concerned about not having a sister on hand.”
“Are all of them planning to go?” Kevin asked.
King Merdin shook his head. “Several of the families are going back and forth on it, but one family’s pretty much decided not to go.”
“Why?”
“Two teenage daughters. The wife said her daughters need to be around other teenagers right now, not stuck someplace until they’re in their twenties. Her husband’s planning to ask you if he can join them after she’s trained, once she returns. He wants to be part of her guard, but he agrees they have to put their daughters first.”
Kevin nodded. “That’s valid.” After a moment he asked, “That wasn’t Cpt. Garen’s wife, was it? I know he has a teenage daughter.”
The Warrior Elf Page 57
