Quest's End: The Broken Key #3

by Brian S. Pratt

  Bart nodded. “That makes sense,” he said.

  “I’m surprised the town doesn’t hire you to clear their streets for them,” Soth said. “From the amount of cursing we heard from those out in it, they’d probably pay you pretty good to get rid of it for them.” Seth nodded agreement.

  The driver’s eyes lit up as if he hadn’t even considered the possibility. “I might just do that good sir,” he said.

  Bart gestured to the logs sitting in the back of the sled. “What are those for?” he asked.

  Glancing back to the logs, the driver grinned. “When I first constructed my sled, it didn’t work all that great. Instead of pushing the snow to the side, my sled would be the one being pushed. After I added the logs to give it more weight, the snow no longer pushed my sled aside. Four logs are the best number. Any less and my sled begins skewing to the side, and any more will quickly tire my horses.”

  “You are truly an ingenious man,” Riyan said. Then he gave the driver a nod. “Good luck with your cattle.”

  “Thank you sir,” the driver replied. “You have a good day too.” With a flick of the reins and a ‘yah!’, the sled began moving out once again.

  “Never seen anything like it,” Chyfe said as the sled pulled away. They watched the sled as it scraped the snow off the road and pushed it aside, widening the cleared swath another two feet.

  “Come on,” Bart finally said. “We still have a ways to go.” Getting his horse moving, he continued down the road.

  They were able to enjoy the cleared swath for another three miles, then it turned off the road to the left. “Must be where his cattle are located,” guessed Riyan. Looking off to the left, he saw where the swath continued to the horizon. “Quite a long way he’s done.”

  “Wonder if something like that wouldn’t be handy back in Gilbeth?” Seth asked. “Snow gets pretty deep there at times.”

  “Maybe,” agreed Soth.

  Pressing on, they passed from the cleared area made by the farmer and reentered the snow covered road. Their progress was noticeably reduced once they left the cleared swath the sled had made.

  Several times throughout the day, the blanket of snow covering the ground was so level, it was difficult to determine if they were still on the road. But despite that fact, they somehow made it to the roadside inn an hour before dark.

  The weather was still holding and if it continued to remain clear, they may be able to reach the crossroads by tomorrow night.

  Baaaaaaa!

  She stared out the window and looked to the world outside. All too often she’s found herself standing there looking out at the world outside. Not so much seeing what lies on the other side of the window, rather reliving days gone by. Days when she was not so alone.

  Baaaaaaa!

  A smile came to her as she reminisced about times long gone when a much younger Riyan would wake to a morning such as this. Most often he would wake her up with cries of ‘Snow mama!’ then run outside half naked to play. Back when her husband had been alive, he would as often as not be out there playing with him.

  Baaaaaaa!

  Her eyes turned to the pen where Black Face stood looking at her. She knew he wanted out and later on she would go out and spend some time with him. He was all that she had left of Riyan now that he’d gone of to Gilbeth and joined the Warriors Guild. She was happy that he had found something that he enjoyed doing. True, she worried about him as his chosen profession was fraught with danger, but at least he had one in which he could hold his head high.

  Baaaaaaa!

  “Later Black Face,” she said quietly. She turned from the window and returned to the table where she had left her half eaten breakfast. Picking up her fork, she pushed her food around the plate until realizing it no longer held any interest for her.

  Nowadays, the only breaks to her loneliness were the days Freya paid her a visit, and when Raestin was in the area. During his last visit, which was over two weeks ago, he had explained to her that once the snow fell he would winter his caravan in Terix, a sizable town east of Quillim midway to Byrdlon’s capitol of Aquillian. He said he might ride on his own to visit her, but when that was likely to happen he couldn’t say. “It all depends on the weather,” he had explained.

  Baaaaaaa! Baaaaaaa! Baaaaaaa!

  Outside, Black Face suddenly began baaing excitedly. He only did such when someone was approaching. Getting up from the table, she hurried to the window hoping it would be Raestin that Black Face was making the fuss about. But when she reached the window and looked out, saw that it was an unfamiliar man riding through the snow toward the house.

  Bundled as he was in winter garments, she wasn’t able to get a good look at him. For a brief moment she thought it might be Riyan, but quickly realized it was neither him nor Raestin. Moving away from the window, she went to her door and locked it. A woman living all alone in an area where the closest neighbor was a mile away couldn’t be too careful.

  Baaaaaaa!

  The stranger glanced over to where Black Face was making such a fuss, then turned his attention back to the house. At his hip hung the scabbard of a longsword and from where she peered from the corner of the window could see what had to be an unslung bow wrapped against the weather across his back.

  She watched as he rode to the front door and dismounted. Her eyes went to where Riyan’s staff leaned against the wall by the door. Reaching out, she took it. Not nearly as good with it as her son had been, still, the feel of it in her hand gave her some comfort.

  With staff in hand, she positioned herself next to the door. From the other side came the sound of footsteps as the man approached the door. Ever since an assassin had come and tried to kill Bart, she had feared someone would come searching for him. Closing her eyes, she prayed this man had nothing to do with that.

  Knock! Knock! Knock!

  For a moment she thought about being quiet and pretending no one was home. But then she realized a fire burned in her fireplace and the man had to have seen the smoke rising from the chimney. “Yes?” she asked through the locked door.

  “I’m looking for Riyan Borenson,” the man replied. “I was told he lived here?”

  She relaxed the grip she had on the staff. “He used to,” she replied. “He moved to Gilbeth and has joined the Warriors Guild.”

  “Oh,” the man replied.

  She stood there leaning against the door waiting for the man to leave. Surely he would now that he knew Riyan was not here.

  “May I come in and talk with you then?” he asked. “It’s kind of cold out here.”

  Like I’m going to open the door for a complete stranger, she thought to herself. Remaining firmly against the door, she asked, “What do you want?”

  “I’m looking for information,” he replied. After a moment’s pause, he said, “I promise I won’t hurt you.”

  An honorable man would honor such a promise while a dishonorable one wouldn’t. She wasn’t about ready to open the door to find out which kind he was. “About what?” she asked.

  The man on the other side remained silent for several seconds, most likely waiting for the door to open. When it didn’t, he asked, “Would you talk with me at the inn in town? What’s its name? The Starling…”

  “The Sterling Sheep?” she questioned.

  “That’s the one,” he replied. “It’s really too cold to stand out here and this is important. Will you meet me there in say an hour?”

  She almost immediately refused him. But then, what else had she to do? And if this did have something to do with Riyan, she would be wise to find out what’s going on. “Okay,” she replied. “I will meet you there in an hour.”

  “Thank you ma’am,” he replied.

  She could hear his footsteps as he moved away from the door. Still gripping the staff, she moved over to the window and peered around the edge. The man had returned to his horse and was swinging up into the saddle. He then turned his head toward the window from which she was staring. Their eyes locked for
a split second before he turned his horse and headed back into town.

  Kaitlyn Borenson kept her eyes on him until he moved out of sight. Thoughts of what the man could be here about flew threw her mind. First she thought that maybe Riyan had gotten himself into trouble. Then she thought that perhaps this was a man whom her son had met while at the Guild in Gilbeth. Either way, she had to find out what he wanted.

  She stared out the window a few more minutes until he was out of sight. Once he was, she quickly put on her winter coat, boots, and wrapped a scarf around her neck to keep warm. Then she banked the fire in the fireplace before going back to the window. She cast one more glance outside to make sure the man hadn’t returned before opening the door.

  Baaaaaaa!

  Black Face greeted her excitedly as she emerged through the front door. He was practically hopping up and down in his happiness to see her.

  “Sorry boy,” she said. “But I can’t take you out right now.” As she turned away from him, Black Face came to realize he wasn’t getting out. He began baaing pitifully, pleading for her to come back but she had more important things to see to than the happiness of a sheep.

  Kaitlyn didn’t immediately head for The Sterling Sheep. As nervous as she was over what the possible meeting would divulge, she didn’t want to go alone. So trudging through the snow, she made a beeline for the home of Elle Kelon, Chad’s mother.

  Their two boys did everything together, where you found one the other usually wasn’t very far away. They even joined the Warriors Guild together. More than likely, whatever the man had to say about her son, would affect Chad in some way as well.

  Cutting through the woods as she did, she skirted the town and came to Elle’s place in short order. A small home, it seemed larger now that two of their three boys no longer lived there. The third Kelon son, Eryl, was busily clearing snow as she approached the house.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Borenson,” he said. Pausing in his work, he leaned upon the shovel.

  “You too, Eryl,” she replied. “Is your mother home?”

  He nodded then pointed to the house. “She’s inside,” he answered.

  “Thank you,” she said. Hurrying past the youngest Kelon son, she hurried to the door. The sound of Eryl returning to work accompanied her as she came to the door and entered. They had been friends long enough for them to be able to enter each other’s home without knocking.

  “Elle?” she said as she closed the door and entered the front room.

  Elle poked her head out of the kitchen. A smile broke across her face when she saw who it was. “Kate!” she exclaimed. “How good to see you.” Then her face lost some of the smile when she took notice of the worry etched on Kaitlyn’s face.

  “Are you busy right now?” Kaitlyn asked. Crossing the front room, she was met halfway by Elle.

  “Why?” she asked. “Is there anything wrong?” Laying a hand on her friend’s shoulder, her eyes sought an answer in Kaitlyn’s.

  “I’m not entirely sure,” replied Kaitlyn. Then she told of the stranger and his request to meet with her at The Sterling Sheep. “He said it had something to do with Riyan,” she explained. “I was hoping you could come with me. If you weren’t too busy.”

  Elle reached out and took her hand. She could see worry and fear in her friend’s eyes. “We’ve been friends for too long for me to ever be that busy when you need me,” she replied. “Let me take the stew off the fire and I’ll get dressed.”

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “I’ll be but a minute,” Elle said. She patted Kaitlyn’s hand then returned back into the kitchen. A minute later she left the kitchen and headed to her room at the back of the house. When she reappeared, she had on her warmest jacket, a hat, and a wool scarf. “You don’t think this concerns my Chad too do you?” she asked.

  “He didn’t say,” Kaitlyn replied.

  As Elle opened the door, Eryl was standing outside knocking snow off his boots, about ready to come in. “I’m going into town for an hour or so,” she told him. “Keep an eye on the place while I’m gone.”

  “But mama,” he replied. “Father said I could go over to Kaleb’s when I was finished clearing a path to the barn!”

  “Don’t argue with me,” she said in that tone all mothers use on a child who balks at doing what he’s told. “You can go when I get back.”

  “But…” he started to say, but stopped when he met her unwavering glare. Backing down, he said, “Yes mama.”

  “Good,” she said. Then she and Kaitlyn left him by the door as they headed toward The Sterling Sheep.

  On the way they passed friends and neighbors both had known all their lives. Other than a few quick words of greeting, they didn’t waste any time in reaching The Sterling Sheep.

  It was quiet when they entered the warm interior and made their way to the common room. This early in the day there were rarely any customers, though usually there was a class teaching the children of Quillim their letters and numbers. It had been canceled due to the snow. It was hard enough to get a child to stay focused on a regular day. But with a deep blanket of snow, forget it.

  One lone figure sat at a table against the back wall. It was easy to recognize him as the man who had paid her a visit. He was six feet and muscular. Dark hair with piercing brown eyes, his appearance did little to put the two ladies at ease.

  When he saw them standing by the door, he came to his feet and gestured for them to come over. He broke into a friendly smile as they drew near his table. “I’m glad you came,” he said. Then he glanced to Elle and asked. “And you are?”

  She extended her hand. “Elle Kelon,” she replied.

  “Ah,” he said as he took her hand and gave a slight bow over it, “Chadric’s mother.” After releasing Elle’s hand, he said, “My name is Daniel Sanderson.”

  The smile that had come to her at him honoring her hand disappeared the moment he said who she was. The fact that a stranger knew who she was didn’t set well with her. “How do you know my son?” she asked.

  Instead of replying, he gestured to two of the vacant seats at his table, “Please have a seat.”

  Kaitlyn glanced to Elle, both were confused and a bit nervous of this man.

  The man waited until they were seated in their chairs before he sat in his. “As to your question,” he began, “I have never met either of your sons.”

  “Mr. Sanderson, how do you know so much about them then?” Kaitlyn asked.

  He didn’t answer right away. Reaching into his pouch, he pulled forth a copper coin. Holding it up before Kaitlyn and Elle, he asked, “Have either of you seen a coin like this before?” He rotated it so they could see the figure portrayed on one side and the symbol engraved on the back.

  Kaitlyn looked at it then shook her head no. Elle did the same. “Why? Should we have?” Kaitlyn asked.

  The man returned the coin to his pouch. “A few months ago, your sons sold a quantity of such coins to a man who fences stolen items,” he explained.

  Elle’s eyes widened. She remembered the gold coins Chad had given them after the debacle with the grinding wheels. She glanced to Kaitlyn and saw that she, too, remembered the time just before they disappeared for a month.

  “They said they had found gems while camping in the mountains,” Elle said.

  “Are they in some kind of trouble?” asked Kaitlyn.

  “Not at the moment, no,” he replied. “But if word of what they did reached the wrong people, they could be.” He could see the fear for their sons growing in their eyes. Inwardly, he smiled.

  He let what he said sink in for a few seconds before adding, “There are some who believe they stole the coins.”

  “My Riyan is no thief!” Kaitlyn said, a bit more forcefully than she had intended.

  “Neither is Chad,” asserted Elle.

  “But why else would they sell the coins to someone who is known for dealing in stolen merchandise?” he asked. “If they had found them legitimately, say buried somewhere, th
en why wouldn’t they have sold them to a dealer in rarities. They would surely have fetched more gold that way. Such questions cast serious doubt upon their actions.”

  “I don’t know what…” Elle began defensively with a touch of anger before Kaitlyn stopped her with a look.

  Kaitlyn turned to the man and asked, “Why are you here?”

  “When word reached me about this situation,” he explained, “I immediately realized the serious repercussions that could fall upon your two boys.” The man paused a moment, he could see the worry and fear they felt for their sons in their eyes. “Either they stole the coins as some would believe, or they found them. If they found the coins, then by law, they must turn over twenty percent to Duke Alric. Which from the way things look, they didn’t.”

  Elle’s eyes got a frightened look when she realized her son may have broken the Duke’s law. “What is going to happen?” she asked. Unconsciously, she moved closer to Kaitlyn who laid a hand on her arm.

  Daniel shrugged. “That would depend on whether or not your sons can get the Duke’s twenty percent to him before he finds out what’s happened,” he replied. “And from the way the rumor is circulating, that won’t be too far off.”

  “Oh my,” Elle said.

  “What will the Duke do to them?” Kaitlyn asked. Her hand began shaking with fear for her son.

  “They’ll stand before his court and will face a charge of thievery,” he explained. “If found guilty, they’ll lose their right hands.”

  “No!” cried out Elle as tears formed in her eyes.

  Kaitlyn patted her friend on the arm again. “It hasn’t come to that,” she said reassuringly in a voice tight with her own emotions.

  Daniel nodded. “That’s right,” he said. “I have friends in the Duke’s court and could facilitate their paying of what they owe the Duke.”

  “You would do that?” asked Elle.