“That’s lucky for you. If they’re back in Milhaven, at the castle, before I leave for the council meeting, I won’t head for Willow Canyon first.”
Rolan’s eyebrows drew together. “Willow Canyon?”
Kevin rolled his eyes. “That’s where Glendymere lives! If they’re back home before I leave for that meeting, I won’t challenge you today. And that’s the best deal you’re going to get.” Then Kevin turned his key and left for home.
~ ~ ~ ~
When Kevin returned to his office, Chris and Gen. Crandal were waiting for him.
“So? How did it go?” Chris asked.
Kevin shrugged as he sat down at his desk. “I have no idea. I told him if he wanted to come at me, just name the time and place, but if he took aim at what’s mine again, I’d come after him.”
Gen. Crandal frowned. “Can you do that?”
“Sure, as long as I resign as Master Sorcerer and Sorcerer of Camden first.”
“You can’t do that,” Gen. Crandal said slowly.
“Actually, I can, and if I need to do it to stop his mess, I will.”
Gen. Crandal took a deep breath. “What I meant to say is we don’t want you to do that. We like having you here where you belong.”
Kevin nodded as he picked up his messages from the morning mail. “I hope I won’t have to. I’m hoping he took me seriously.”
“He’s not a complete idiot,” Chris said. “He saw you fight Gwendolyn. He’ll think twice before provoking you into challenging him.”
“I’ll get out of here and let you get back to work,” Gen. Crandal said as he stood up to leave. “If you need me for anything, I’ll be in my office.”
After the general left, Kevin asked, “Where’s Nikki?”
“Rhianna picked her up right after you left. She said they were going down to the house and she’ll bring her back later, probably around dinnertime.”
Kevin nodded. “Shelley needs to see that she’s okay.”
“Did you find out anything about Shana’s parents?”
“He said they’re still alive. I told him to have them here before the meeting or I’d challenge him today.”
Chris shook his head. “You didn’t give him much time.”
“He’s got a key. He shouldn’t need much time.”
“I’ll let the guards know to expect them.” Chris got up. “Do you want something to eat?”
“Maybe later, but I’d love a cup of coffee.”
“Coming right up.”
Kevin spent the next couple of hours at his desk, answering messages and thinking about his conversation with Rolan. He didn’t want to fight again, and he didn’t want to have to leave Camden, but the ball was in Rolan’s court. There was nothing he could do but wait and see what happened.
~ ~ ~ ~
As soon as Kevin left, Rolan bounded up from his desk and paced furiously. He wasn’t overly concerned about his assassins, they weren’t doing any good sitting around in that cave anyway, but he really hated losing his spies. He hated having to find new ones even more.
Calling the bounty hunters back from North Amden was something he’d been planning to do anyway, so that didn’t matter. But he hated letting Myron think he could order him around like some slave. He was tempted to leave them there just to spite him, but he had no doubt Myron would carry through on his threat. He’d have to let Myron think he’d won this round.
And now that he’d lost Shana, taking her parents back wasn’t that big a deal, except that, once again, Myron would think he’d won. And that’s what ate at him. He was tempted to plop two bags of ashes on Myron’s desk and say Shana’s parents were back home as ordered. After all, Myron hadn’t said one word about them being alive.
Rolan shook his head. Myron would kill him for sure if he did that. No, this time he’d have to let Myron think he’d won. He didn’t see any other choice, but this wasn’t over, not even close.
As he headed back towards his bedroom, he stuck his head in Cpt. Yardner’s office. “Send letters to the men in North Amden and tell them I want them back here in ten days. They’ve wasted enough time there. And find that girl’s parents. I think they’re in the slave quarters.”
Cpt. Yardner jotted down a quick note and looked up. “What girl?”
“The one in Milhaven.” At Cpt. Yardner’s blank look, Rolan rolled his eyes. “The girl who spied for me.” When Cpt. Yardner frowned, Rolan stomped his foot. “Find the people I brought back from there a couple of years ago and get them cleaned up. I want them in my office in two hours.”
“Do you happen to know their names?”
“Of course not!” Rolan roared. “They’re slaves!”
Cpt. Yardner nodded slowly, thinking it was a good thing he’d anticipated this day and made a note of who they were. “I’ll see what I can do, but you haven’t given me much to go on.”
“Find them!” Rolan growled. “And do it fast!”
Chapter 52
Aftermath
A couple of hours later, there was a quiet knock on Kevin’s door. Ariel cracked it open and said, “Shana’s parents are here. Where do you want me to put them?”
Kevin stood up. “Show them in.”
As they walked into Kevin’s office, he asked, “Could we get you something to drink? Tea? Coffee?”
“No, thank you,” the woman said as she clasped her hands in front of her.
Kevin could see traces of Shana in her face, but she looked old enough to be Shana’s grandmother rather than her mother. She was pencil thin and so pale he doubted she’d seen the sun in at least a year. Her husband was in the same shape, entirely too thin and pale, with sunken eyes, gray hair, and a straggly gray beard. Their clothes were clean, but hung on them like shrouds.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to rescue you. I didn’t know he had you until yesterday.”
Tears ran down the woman’s cheeks as she looked at Kevin. “Where’s our Shana? Is she still alive?”
“Shana’s fine. She’s in Ardmore with my aunt. I’ll take you down there as soon as you’ve had something to eat and Sister Agnes has seen you.”
“What about our home?” the man asked.
“It’s fine, but I think it would be best if Rolan had no idea where you are right now. Cryslyn will get a few changes of clothes together for you as well as anything else you need.”
“Will we be able to come back home?” Shana’s mother asked.
Kevin hesitated. “I’m not sure. I don’t want Rolan to grab you again just because he’s angry with me, and believe me, he’s angry right now. If you like, I can put a ward over your house so none of your stuff will get gone.”
Shana’s father nodded. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
Kevin walked around the desk and offered his hand. “Again, I’m sorry for what you’ve gone through. I’m sure it’s been quite a nightmare.”
Shana’s mother nodded as her father shook Kevin’s hand. “Thank you for taking care of our girl and for rescuing us. You could have let it go, but you didn’t.”
Kevin took Shana’s mother’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “There’s no way I could have let that go. I’m just glad you survived it.” He opened the door and called Ariel over. “See that they get some lunch, and ask Cryslyn to get some clothes together for them. When they’re done, take them to the chapel and ask Sister Agnes to check them out.”
Kevin turned back to Shana’s parents. “Stay at the chapel with the sisters until I come for you. I’ve got to go to the Council of Sorcerers meeting in a few minutes. I don’t think Rolan would come by while I’m gone, but you never know with that man. You’ll be safe with the sisters.”
Shana’s father nodded and put his arm around his wife as they followed Ariel out of the office.
~ ~ ~ ~
Kevin and Chris left for the council meeting at quarter to twelve. Kevin wanted to be there when Rolan got there and see what, if anything, he might be up to. As the other sorcerers arrived, som
e spoke to Kevin, some didn’t, but most went in the chamber and took their seats. Rolan was one of the last to show up. He didn’t say anything to anyone, just gave the young page, who couldn’t take his eyes off Kevin, a shove towards the chamber door and went inside. Kevin and Chris followed.
The meeting only lasted half an hour, and the only topics discussed involved trade deals. After Chris wrote down the details and had the appropriate sorcerers sign the contracts, Kevin thanked them for coming and closed the meeting. Rolan was one of the first sorcerers to leave.
After Rolan left, Damien approached Kevin and nodded towards Brendolanth’s empty seat. “Anything I need to know about?”
Kevin shook his head. “Not as far as I know.”
Damien nodded. “I’ll be heading home then.”
A few minutes later, he was gone, as were most of the sorcerers.
“Ready to go?” Kevin asked.
Chris picked up his papers, put his hand on Kevin’s arm, and nodded. A moment later, they were back in the office.
“That was interesting,” Kevin said as he sat down.
Chris raised his eyebrows. “What? Did I miss something?”
“No, it was interesting because Rolan didn’t wander around trying to stir something up before the meeting. He didn’t hang around to see what he could overhear after the meeting. He didn’t do anything, but he wasn’t acting normal either.”
Chris laughed. “Because normal for him is trying to stir something up.”
“Right.”
Chris shook his head. “Don’t read anything into it. He’s still Rolan. He’s still going to come at you. Don’t let him lull you into thinking he’s giving up. It’s not in his nature.”
Kevin sighed. “I know.” Then he stood back up. “Think I’ll check on Shana’s parents. I want to get them down to Allisandra’s as soon as I can.”
~ ~ ~ ~
The rest of the weekend was quiet around the castle. Sunday morning Joan baked a small cake for Neiven. Then they set up the ice cream churn Sunday afternoon and made strawberry ice cream for everyone. Kevin took a big bowl of it down to Doreen’s when he took Nikki down for a walk. It was a big hit, especially with Shelley and Rhianna.
The next couple of weeks were quiet, too. Kevin checked on the people on the island at least every other day, but the lists of things they needed had dwindled down to a couple of grocery lists a week. Everyone seemed to be settling in.
Two weeks after the June council meeting, Kevin was in his office when Chris opened the door. “You have a visitor. Caelan’s here, and he brought Rhianna with him.”
Kevin frowned as he stood up. “Show them in.”
When Caelan walked in, he smiled and held his hand out to Kevin. After they shook hands, Kevin said, “Welcome to Milhaven. What can I do for you?”
Caelan’s smile spread. “You’ve already done it. I’m not sure how you two managed it, but Rolan’s men pulled up stakes and left North Amden.”
Kevin and Rhianna looked at each other and grinned.
“I’m not sure when they left, but I’ve checked with every section and they’re all saying the same thing. The men just packed up and left. No threats. No warnings, no nothing. Just gone.”
“That’s good news,” Kevin said as Rhianna nodded.
Caelan looked at Rhianna. “Weldon asked me to deliver his greetings and his thanks for a job well done.”
Rhianna gave a little nod. “Tell him I said thank you.”
“I will. And as far as I know, no one’s registered any complaints about the incident two weeks ago, but I’ll keep listening. If I hear any rumors or questions about it, I’ll take care of them. Smart idea bringing me in as a witness while everyone was still there.”
“I’m just glad you were able to come,” Rhianna said. “I don’t ever want to have to deal with that kind of mess again.”
“I understand. Feel free to call on me anytime you need a witness.” Caelan paused for a moment. “I hate to say it, but you have an enemy on the Council of Elders, and he’s watching for anything he can use against you.”
Rhianna frowned. “Can you tell me who it is?”
Caelan shook his head. “I’ve already said too much, but you also have some good friends on the council, so don’t worry about it. But if anything else happens, do what you did this time. Get a witness.” Rhianna nodded as Caelan took out his key. “Well, guess I’ll take my leave now. See you at the next federation meeting, Myron.”
~ ~ ~ ~
Later that evening, while they were walking Nikki, Rhianna said, “Guess it’s time for me to go home.”
“Why?”
“Well, our plan worked. Rolan’s pulled his men out of North Amden.” Rhianna laughed and shook her head. “My father’s going to be thrilled. His harebrained scheme actually worked.”
“You mean Xantha’s scheme.”
“Xantha may have been the one who came up with it, but when my father finds out it worked, he’ll take all the credit, and we’ll never hear the end of it.”
“You know, just because Rolan’s pulled his men out of North Amden doesn’t mean you have to leave.”
Rhianna looked at Kevin and raised her eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
“Do you want everyone in Milhaven to think you only became friends with them as part of some scheme?”
“Of course not! That’s not true. These people are my friends!”
“Really? What’s Doreen going to think when you pack up and leave? And what about Elin? Didn’t you tell her you’d teach her how to handle throwing knives?”
“Yes, but Joan or Darrell could do that,” Rhianna said slowly. “It doesn’t have to be me.”
“No, but you’re the one who told her you would. You’re the one she’s counting on. So are the other pages. How are things going with them anyway?”
Rhianna smiled. “Elin’s becoming quite good with a dagger. Cameryn’s doing all right, but she doesn’t have the same drive Elin does, which is understandable considering what Elin went through.”
“Cameryn may not have been grabbed, but she’s not as carefree as she used to be. It wouldn’t surprise me if she leaves us before long.”
“Why?”
“That mess with Gwendolyn destroyed her sense of safety, her security.”
“Where do you think she’ll go?”
Kevin shook his head. “I don’t think it’ll be so much going someplace as getting away from the castle. She sees it as a trap now, like they’re sitting ducks waiting for someone to pick them off.”
“What?”
“Like they’re easy prey, like any seated sorcerer could pop in there any minute, grab one of them, and no one could do a thing to stop it.”
“Well, there’s some truth to that if you’re not there.”
“I know, and I can’t tell her it won’t ever happen again. All I can do is make sure anyone with a key knows it won’t be worth the price. How about the guys? How are they doing?”
“With luck Ariel will learn enough to be able to defend himself against a lone bandit. But that’s about it. Isak’s the same, although from what Darrell says, he’s pretty good with a bow. But Petri has a real knack for weapons, almost like he was born with a soldier’s spirit.”
“From what I understand, his father was a soldier, and after his father was killed, he went to live with his father’s best friend, who’s also a soldier. Chances are he had some training along those lines long before he ended up in Starvos’s office.”
“It shows. He’ll make a good soldier if he decides to go that way.”
“Well, don’t push him that way yet. We’re hoping he’ll take over Ariel’s job when Ariel decides it’s time to move on.”
“Have you said anything to him about that? Or to Isak?”
Kevin shook his head.
“You might want to before long. Isak’s worried he’ll be expected to take over, and he doesn’t think he can handle it, or maybe he doesn’t want to, but at any rate, he’s
wondering if he needs to leave first so he can avoid it altogether. And Petri’s afraid Joan’ll let Corey take over as page in her office and he’s wondering what his future holds. If you want to keep him around, you might need to let him know that.”
Kevin frowned. “Joan hasn’t said anything to me about bringing Corey in. I’ve been afraid to move Petri to our office because I figured she’d be ready to kill me for stealing him away from her.”
“I’m not sure Petri heard it from Joan. Corey tags along with him sometimes so it may have come from Corey.”
Kevin nodded. “I’ll talk to Joan.” Then he grinned. “See? We need you around here. How would I have found out about all of this if you weren’t here?”
“I’m sure you’d have found out some way.”
“Probably after the bottom fell out and everyone was gone,” Kevin said. “I need you to help me avoid disaster. And who’ll explain it to Nikki if you leave? She’s gotten used to having you around. She’ll keep looking for you, but you won’t be there.”
“Myron, what are you trying to do? Make me feel guilty?”
“Is it working?”
“What?”
Kevin took a deep breath. “I’m trying to tell you I don’t want you to go. I’ve gotten used to having you around, to seeing you in the mornings out behind the castle, to eating lunch with you, to walking Nikki with you in the evening.”
“Are you asking me to stay?”
“I guess I am. If you leave, you’ll leave a lot of empty spaces around here, many of them in my day. I won’t know what to do with myself.”
Rhianna laughed. “And we both know how quickly those holes would get filled.” After they walked on for a bit, Rhianna said, “I don’t really want to go. I’m happy here. I’m having a good time, but if I don’t go now, things will get complicated. For both of us.”
“I know.”
Rhianna didn’t say anything for a while. Then she sighed and nodded. “Doreen’s gardens need someone to tend them, and I did promise some of the housekeeping staff I’d teach them how to defend themselves, although now that the assassins are gone, there’s not as much need of that.”
The Warrior Elf Page 69
